The ministry awards Tk2cr to BSMMU for free treatment of those injured during student movements

The money will be used for all kinds of medical testing expenses, medicines and food for the injured patients

October 27, 2024, 7:05 PM

Last modified: October 27, 2024, 7:36 PM

The people injured during the student movement undergoing treatment at DMCH. File photo: Md Belal Hossen/TBS

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The people injured during the student movement undergoing treatment at DMCH. File photo: Md Belal Hossen/TBS

The Ministry of Finance has allocated Tk2 crore to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) to provide free treatment to those injured during the anti-discrimination student movement.

The money will be used for all kinds of medical testing costs, medicines and food for the injured patients, according to sources familiar with the matter.

In addition, the Ministry of Health has formed a special cell to collect the information about the injured and tortured students during the uprising, and to send the seriously injured abroad for treatment.

Finance ministry officials said that in line with the interim government’s promise to provide free medical care to those injured during the July-August uprising, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare demanded an allocation of Tk2 crore.

On request, the Finance Ministry allocated Tk2 crore to BSMMU on October 24.

Of the allocation, Tk45 lakh will be spent on renovating all huts on two floors of the hospital building for medical treatment of those injured during the student uprising.

In addition, Tk1,002 crore has been allocated for medicines, laboratory tests, implants or devices, procedures and food for the injured patients.

In addition, Tk10 lakh has been allocated for setting up a database of all those injured during the student uprising and setting up a web-based online data verification facility, Tk20 lakh for physiotherapy, Tk10 lakh for psychotherapy and Tk10 lakh for equipment and incidental costs.

The Finance Ministry has also allocated Tk2.40 lakh for the appointment of two physiotherapists for three months and another Tk2.40 lakh for the appointment of two clinical psychologists for three months for the injured.

Special cell of the Ministry of Health

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a notification dated October 23 that it has formed a three-member special cell to expedite the process of collecting the information on those injured and martyred during the mass uprising.

According to the notification signed by the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Umme Habiba, this special cell was formed based on the decision of the October 17 Advisory Council meeting.

The Joint Secretary (Administration) will function as member and Assistant Secretary (Hospital) as Member Secretary of the cell, which will be convened by Additional Secretary (Hospital).

According to the cell’s mandate, it will undertake the necessary activities to complete the list of martyrs of the July-August uprising. Taking into account the list already collected by the Ministry of Health, the list obtained from other sources will be verified and included.

To gather information about the martyrs if necessary, this cell will be able to conduct on-the-spot information research in different parts of the country and take help from local stakeholders.

The cell will also assist the injured of the student movement in obtaining free treatment, providing necessary assistance to the families of the tortured and injured and sending seriously injured persons abroad for advanced treatment.

The special cell will also work to document and preserve the history of the student movement.