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Published : 04 Jun 2025, 02:22 AM
Dhaka’s National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) will resumemedical services on Wednesday, a week after it suspended operations following clashes between hospital staff and a group of patients identified as “July warriors”.
Md Abu Zafar, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), told bdnews24.com on Tuesday night that emergency care would resume on Wednesday, with full outpatient services restarting the following day.
The hospital was shut down last Wednesday after tensions between staff and patients escalated into a physical altercation.
Employees walked off the job that morning in protest, leading to a confrontation with patients who had been receiving treatment, reportedly injured during the mass uprising of July 2024.
Military personnel arrived later in the day to restore order, but full control was not gained until the afternoon.
In response, both doctors and staff ceased all services through Tuesday, citing safety concerns and demanding action.
Dr Zafar confirmed that both parties involved in the altercation have filed complaints.
“An investigation committee has been formed,” he said. “Action will be taken based on the committee’s findings.”
A separate medical review panel has also been formed to assess the eye conditions of the “July warriors” who were undergoing treatment at the institute.
Specialists from the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and Bangladesh Medical College have been appointed to the committee.
“They will examine the injured patients [Wednesday] and determine whether continued hospitalisation is medically necessary,” Dr Zafar added.
The shutdown of Bangladesh’s premier eye hospital left patients from across the country in distress, as thousands were forced to postpone vital treatments and consultations during the seven-day closure.
