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Published : 10 Mar 2025, 09:38 PM
A clash between hospital staff and injured July Uprising protesters at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, commonly known as Pangu Hospital, left over a thousand patients in distress as emergency services remained shut for nearly six hours on Monday.
The violence began after an altercation at the hospital's blood bank, leading to a confrontation between employees and injured student activists.
The emergency department, crucial for treating accident victims, was non-operational, forcing many patients with broken limbs to suffer.
Ansar member Ruhul Amin, posted at the hospital director’s office, was critically injured in the clash.
He was later admitted to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where doctors reported a brain haemorrhage.
His colleagues said he was struck on the head with a thick stick, causing him to lose consciousness. He has not regained consciousness since.
The hospital’s Director Dr Md Abul Kenan told bdnews24.com at 5pm, “We have been virtually besieged for hours. We are assessing the situation and ensuring treatment for all injured.”
At the time of his statement, injured student activists, police, and army officers were inside the director’s office.
Several hospital officials left under military escort, fearing further attacks.
A hospital official said the director’s office and surrounding rooms were vandalised, with broken glass and nameplates scattered on the corridor floor.
This created panic among doctors.
Student activists claimed they were attacked while trying to curb corruption at the hospital.
Injured protester Parvez Hossain alleged that hospital staff attacked him with a machete.
However, in his initial interview, his arm appeared unharmed.
Later, he was seen with bandages on two spots on his right arm and carrying a stick on his back.
Hospital staff refused to comment, but a staff leader claimed at least eight of their colleagues were injured.
He accused injured students, many walking with crutches, of attacking them with those same crutches.
Parvez also claimed they found bundles of sticks and portraits of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in Room 208, near the director’s office.
The unrest began on Sunday night when an altercation at the blood bank intensified into a physical confrontation by Monday morning.
Hospital staff, angered by the assault on their colleagues, stopped working, causing major disruption.
The emergency department, essential for immediate care, remained shut for nearly six hours.
It resumed operations at 5:30pm when ticket sales restarted and doctors returned to duty.
