Injured July-Aug protesters block road outside NITOR

Injured protesters receiving treatment at the National Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute (NITOR) blocked the road from Agargaon to Shyamoli in Dhaka on Wednesday (November 13) to demand better care and promised compensation.

The demonstration began around 1:20pm, creating heavy traffic congestion toward Shyamoli. Police were stationed in front of the hospital, and army personnel arrived at 3:00pm to help manage the situation.

A police officer at the scene said, “We are trying to calm the protesters, but they refuse to leave the road.”

Earlier, Health Adviser Noorjahan Begum visited NITOR and met with selected patients for about two and a half hours. As she left, several injured patients blocked his vehicle, voicing frustration over inadequate medical attention and unmet promises. 

Some protesters even sat in front of the adviser's car and struck the vehicle, expressing their anger. The Health Adviser and the British High Commissioner, who was with her, ultimately departed in an unmarked car. Following this, protesters stopped other vehicles, including a health ministry car and a police vehicle, and continued their demonstration, keeping the road closed until at least 2:00pm.

Md Hasan, one of the injured protesters, stated, “We have been here for three months with minimal treatment. I’ve undergone nine surgeries on my leg, but I’m still not healed. We were promised Tk 1 lakh in compensation and quality medical care, but we haven’t received any support.”

According to other protesters, the Health Adviser spoke only to a few selected patients, ignoring the majority. Many are frustrated with the poor quality of food and lack of financial aid and are requesting support for overseas treatment.