Patients at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka, have begun leaving the facility after waiting weeks without receiving any treatment allegedly, as the hospital remains virtually non-functional following internal unrest.
Rashidul Islam from Ullapara, Sirajganj, shared his frustration as he departed the hospital: “I stayed for 21 days and didn’t receive any treatment. I’m planning to return after Eid.”
Similar views were echoed by other patients who had been admitted but received little or no care.
During a visit to the hospital on Tuesday, only three Ansar members were seen guarding the main entrance.
Platoon Commander Shah Alam stated that while 42 Ansar personnel are still assigned to hospital security, no doctors, nurses, or administrative staff have been reporting for duty.
Previously, a number of patients remained admitted, but all except a few have since left after not receiving any medical attention.
Nineteen of the last remaining patients have returned home. Only a few individuals injured during the July Movement remain in the hospital.
Anisur Rahman from Bikrampur had secured admission after a month of effort. “I was admitted for 15 days and underwent cataract surgery. I was waiting for retina treatment, but after the clashes, I sat idle for a week and decided to leave,” he said.
The hospital has been inoperative since May 28, following a violent clash between hospital staff and members of the July Movement.
Since the incident, most of the medical and administrative personnel have stopped reporting to work, citing security concerns.
Although the hospital’s director, Abul Khair, was placed on leave last Sunday and replaced by Acting Director Jane Alam to defuse tensions, conditions have yet to improve.
