Health card distribution program inaugurated for those injured in the movement
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photo: Collected
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the ‘health card’ distribution program of the Ministry of Health to ensure free medical services to the fighters injured in the July uprising in all government hospitals across the country.
The inauguration program began on Tuesday (December 31) evening at the State Guest House Jamuna. During this, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus handed over ‘health cards’ to two students injured in the uprising.
These two fighters of the uprising are Ifat Hossain, a student of Narsingdi United College, and Israt Jahan Emu, a student of the Disaster Management Department of Dhaka University.
Ifat lost the sight of both eyes in police firing in Narsingdi during the July 19 movement last year. He still cannot see in one eye.
On the other hand, Israt, who was seriously injured in the banned Chhatra League attack on female students in the Dhaka University area on July 15, is currently undergoing treatment at BSMMU.
The Chief Adviser spoke to both of them and inquired about medical services and other issues.
The Health Ministry said that health cards will be distributed to specific districts every week among the fighters injured in the July uprising.
At the same time, National Institute of Ophthalmology Director Professor Khair Ahmed Chowdhury informed the Chief Adviser about the medical activities and said, "So far, 1,074 people have received treatment at the Institute of Ophthalmology. Of them, 39 have lost both eyes permanently. About 450 have one eye damaged."
He said that about 650 operations have been performed for eye injuries. Of these, more than 300 retinal surgeries were performed in the second phase. 60 patients were operated on in two hospitals outside the Institute of Ophthalmology. He said that some patients also need operations in the third phase.
He further said that so far, doctors from China, France, Nepal, and the United States have visited the Institute of Ophthalmology and the doctors have expressed satisfaction with the treatment being provided.
He also said that so far, 65 patients have recovered their eyesight at the Institute of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Muhammad Abul Kenan, Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute (NITOR), informed the Chief Adviser about the progress of his hospital's treatment and said that so far, 21 patients have had to have their hands or feet amputated in their hospital. Some patients have been selected to be taken abroad.
He also said that most of the patients undergoing treatment will gradually recover and none of them are at risk of death.
Announcing the inauguration of the ‘health card’, the Chief Adviser said, 'Having this health card means that cardholders will get treatment at any government hospital in the country at any time, be it after a year or two. This card will always be there.'
He said, 'It is the responsibility of the state to ensure medical care for the wounded warriors in July. We will do that. There is no reason to worry about the financial security of the families of the martyrs and the injured in the coup. The government will ensure their financial security. However, in addition to this, we have to think about the mental and social rehabilitation of the injured fighters in July. This must be given importance. Appropriate initiatives must be taken so that people can live their lives happily and be established in society.’
He also said, ‘The path must be paved step by step so that those who are interested can do that work with joy. In addition to healing physically through treatment, attention must also be paid to their mental health.’
Present on the occasion were Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Information Adviser Nahid Islam, Health Secretary Md. Sayedur Rahman and July Shaheed Smriti Foundation Chief Executive Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha and Secretary Sarjis Alam, among others.
