AS THE government struggles to make a complete list of the people injured during the student-mass uprising in July-August, let alone provide holistic support for the victims, another ordinary citizen wounded with a bullet died in Dhaka Medical College Hospital on September 20. The health ministry on September 21 reported that at least 1,423 people had died and about 22,000 people became wounded but added that the numbers could increase. When the government is busy examining the list, 587 people have already faced amputation and 685 people, mostly in their prime age, have been fully or partially blinded by gun pellets that law enforcers used on protesters during the student protests. The interim government, immediately after its installation, announced that the wounded would be provided with treatment free. The chief adviser and the health and social welfare advisers on a number of occasions assured that the wounded and those who faced brutal violence of the Awami League regime in its final months would be provided for, but their promises have yet to be put to action. The government on September 17 announced that it would provide cash assistance for families of the victims, including the wounded, in a week.
The wounded and their attendants think that all the promises are meaningless as the government has failed to act promptly recognising that the injured were at stake. Major political parties also appear negligent when it comes to providing support for and recognising the contribution of the wounded. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party repeatedly claimed that the majority of the deceased were their party activists but made no effort to help the injured. The party has recently said that about 422 people variously affiliated with the party died in the movement but rarely made any mention of the injured protesters. The silence amounts to a refusal to take any responsibility for the injured. Meanwhile, volunteer teams who have been supporting the injured people navigate the health bureaucracy repeatedly urged the government to act quickly and insisted that free treatment was not enough. Extended hospital stays for many victims are taking a toll on not only their mental health but also the financial and emotional state of the families. A lengthy hospital stay means the growing cost of food and accommodation for attendants, especially those travelling from other districts. Many of the wounded come from impoverished background and have already sold their property and means of livelihood to bear additional expenses.
The government should, therefore, prioritise the treatment of critically injured patients, arrange for better treatment abroad, if needed, and expedite the cash assistance, if necessary, in phases. The government should also consider forming a task force of expert physicians and public health experts for the treatment of the injured victims. The government should, as civic groups suggest, consider consulting with international groups that have experience of treating patients in similar post-conflict situations. The political parties should also come forward and take responsibility for supporting the injured victims of the uprising.
