The National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) stands as the nation’s premier government-run eye care facility. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and valued at Tk 600 crore, this institution has long been a beacon of hope for thousands seeking advanced eye treatments. However, since May 28, 2025, this vital healthcare hub has been eerily silent, its medical services shuttered for 13 days following a violent clash. The hospital, meant to serve 3,500 outpatients daily, has been reduced to what some call a “hotel” for a group of patients injured during the July uprising, raising critical questions about healthcare access, rehabilitation, and public safety.
A hospital in crisis
The turmoil began on May 28, 2025, when tensions between hospital staff and patients injured in the July uprising—referred to as “July warriors”—escalated into violence. Reports indicate that a misunderstanding led to the injured protesters attacking doctors, nurses, and staff, injuring 15 personnel.
The clash followed earlier incidents, including the confinement of the hospital’s director, Professor Dr Khair Ahmed Chowdhury, and a reported suicide attempt by four July uprising patients over alleged medical negligence. Fearing for their safety, doctors and staff initiated a work stoppage, halting all services, including emergencies, leaving thousands of patients without care.
Since then, the hospital has remained closed, with only a handful of July uprising patients –initially 55, now down to seven or eight as of June 6 – staying on the premises. The interim government has been providing them with regular meals, a move that has sparked controversy. Critics argue that this Tk 600 crore facility, designed to deliver cutting-edge eye care, is being misused as a de facto boarding house for these patients, who refuse to leave despite medical board recommendations.
Why the July Warriors stay
Investigations reveal five key reasons why some July uprising patients are reluctant to leave the hospital, even after completing treatment:
1. Hopes of overseas opportunities: Some believe staying in the hospital increases their chances of being sent to Europe or America for further treatment or rehabilitation. They fear leaving will diminish their visibility to authorities.
2. Alleged lobbying and influence: A few individuals are reportedly involved in illicit activities, such as influencing hospital admissions or tenders, using their presence to exert control.
3. Lack of alternative housing: Some patients, including one with a pending drug case, have nowhere else to go and see the hospital as a safe haven.
4. Political leverage: The injured align with groups like the anti-discrimination student movement and the National Citizens Party (NCP), joining protests or programmes to maintain influence, with leaders hesitant to intervene.
5. Convenience in Dhaka: Many live outside Dhaka and need a base in the capital for activities like engaging with the July Smriti Foundation. The hospital provides free accommodation and food, making it an attractive option.
These patients have also torn up discharge papers, insisting on staying to negotiate demands with the government, including promises of 2,600 flats for July uprising victims. This has fuelled internal conflicts among them, with reports of groups forming to share benefits or clashing over resources.
A medical board’s efforts and resistance
In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Health formed a four-member medical board comprising top ophthalmologists from Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh Medical University, Combined Military Hospital, and Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute.
On June 4, the board assessed 30 of the 55 admitted July patients, concluding that their treatment was satisfactory and that most could be discharged with follow-up care at local facilities or specialised hospitals like CMH. The board also emphasized the urgent need for proper rehabilitation.
However, the patients rejected the board’s recommendations, with some dismissing even prestigious institutions like Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital as “fake” and demanding treatment in the US or Europe. On the same day, Acting Director Dr Jane Alam was confined until 6:00pm by the patients, who refused to accept discharge orders.
Dr Alam noted, “They say they’ll stay here and bargain with the government. They don’t want to leave because they need a place in Dhaka.”
A nation’s healthcare at stake
The prolonged closure of NIOH has deprived approximately 5,000 patients daily of critical eye care, from routine exams to complex surgeries like cataract and vitreoretinal procedures. Doctors express frustration, with one saying, “A hospital cannot become a hotel. The government can provide alternative accommodation, but patients are being denied services.”
Professor Dr Khair Ahmed Chowdhury, the hospital’s director, acknowledged the sacrifices of the July Warriors, many of whom have lost one or both eyes. “We’ve provided treatment with all our means, even bringing foreign specialists,” he said.
However, he stressed that their ongoing treatment requires only follow-up care, which can be managed at local medical colleges or referred back to NIOH if needed. He urged for their relocation to other facilities or rehabilitation programmes to restore the hospital’s operations.
Health Secretary Md Saidur Rahman admitted the complexity of the situation, noting that rehabilitation for each patient must be tailored, a challenging task.
A call for collective action
The crisis has sparked widespread debate, with a coordinator from the anti-discrimination student movement calling it “embarrassing” and urging a collective decision by the government, hospital authorities, and student leaders. “This cannot continue,” they said, highlighting the negative message sent by the actions of a few.
A path forward
The NIOH crisis underscores a broader challenge: balancing the needs of a small group of protesters with the public’s right to healthcare. The hospital, a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s eye care system since 1978, has a legacy of excellence, serving as a training hub and a leader in the national blindness prevention programme.
Its closure not only disrupts patient care but also hampers its role in ophthalmic research and education.
As the interim government navigates this delicate situation, solutions like alternative housing, structured rehabilitation, and enhanced security for hospital staff could restore normalcy.
The involvement of foreign medical teams from Singapore, China, and the UK demonstrates global support for the July injured, but their prolonged presence in the hospital risks undermining a critical public resource.
The NIOH must reclaim its purpose as a centre of healing, not a makeshift residence. A tough, collective decision is needed to ensure that this Tk 600 crore institution serves the thousands who depend on it, while addressing the legitimate rehabilitation needs of the July uprising’s heroes. The nation watches, hoping for a resolution that honours both sacrifice and service. courtesy,Jagonews ।