Let the eyes of National Eye Hospital open

The fact that medical services at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in the capital have remained shut for the fifth consecutive day following clashes and scuffles between doctors-staff and the injured from the July mass uprising is not only concerning but extremely unfortunate. Patients do not even know when the national eye hospital will reopen. People are coming from far and wide only to return empty-handed. They are facing severe suffering as a result.

Those involved say that due to lack of security, doctors and staff are not returning to work. Moreover, rumours that the injured are planning attacks on homes have frightened the hospital’s medical personnel. In this situation, on Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare requested that patients seek treatment at alternative hospitals. A health ministry notice advised eye patients to receive necessary care from the eye departments of nearby hospitals.

A hospital is a highly sensitive place. Medical services are run on a foundation of trust between patients and doctors. In such a place, the injured from the July uprising certainly deserve priority. However, they have allegations against doctors and nurses, which led to the conflict. Regardless of the cause, such a clash should have been resolved quickly. A meeting was held last Friday with several secretaries, hospital representatives, and student delegates to overcome the deadlock, but no resolution was reached.

Rohan Ahmed, a July protester receiving treatment at the hospital, said, “I’m still at the hospital. All types of services are suspended. Food and medicine are being brought from outside. A meeting was held at noon about resuming treatment, but no decision came out of it.”

An inter-ministerial meeting was also held last Wednesday where NCP leaders Nahid Islam, Hasnat Abdullah, and Abu Bakar, along with several advisers, were present. At the meeting, they agreed to transfer 8–10 injured July protesters from the National Institute of Ophthalmology to another location. Hospital sources say that the entire service system has been suspended. Employees are complaining about lack of security. According to them, some among the July protesters have behaved violently inside the hospital. Incidents of vandalism and assault have occurred repeatedly. Doctors and staff are in fear. It is unacceptable for a hospital to remain closed.

This means that not only is the issue unresolved, but it also seems to be escalating. If the injured from the uprising leave the hospital, resentment will remain in their hearts. Regular patients will lose trust in the hospital. At the same time, it is also true that if doctors, nurses, and staff feel unsafe, why would they come to work? But the bigger question is, why has the government still not been able to resolve this? Does this mean government orders are not functioning in this hospital?

The government must realise that no hospital can remain closed, not even for a day — and especially not an essential facility like the eye hospital, which cannot be shut down for five straight days, or for an indefinite period. At the same time, it must also be asked why those injured in the July uprising repeatedly raise concerns about their treatment, why they are forced to protest in the streets for their care — this too must be considered. This was in no way acceptable. Judging by the situation, it seems the government has lost its basic sense of right and wrong. We want a swift resolution to this matter. Let the hospital overcome its dysfunction and return to serving patients. Let the eyes of the National Eye Hospital open — and may the eyes of the government open too.