Bonikbarta Exclusive

The students against discrimination (SAD) movement intensified from July 18 to 20, leading to violent clashes in the capital. People from various walks of life were injured or killed during these clashes. Many of the injured were taken to different hospitals. Visits to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH) revealed that lower-income families are struggling to cover medical expenses. They are mortgaging land, taking loans, or relying on relatives for the treatment of injured family members.

Ariful Islam, a student, is receiving treatment at the respiratory department of NIDCH. He was injured by police gunfire on July 18. He is from Sherpur and appearing in the higher secondary examination from a college in Dhaka. On the day of the incident, he joined the protest with other students. At one point, pellet bullets fired by the police pierced various parts of his body. X-rays show around 30 pellets lodged in different areas. His 50-year-old mother is with him at the hospital.

Ariful Islam told Bonik Barta, “My father is a farmer. We have some land in the village. The family survives on what my father earns from farming. After hearing about my injury, my parents rushed to Dhaka. My father had no savings, so he mortgaged our land to pay for my treatment. We don’t have to pay for the hospital bed, but medical expenses and all other expenses, including my mother’s stay and food, are covered by the money from the land mortgage.”

Sohan, a garment worker, is also receiving treatment at NIDCH. On July 19, he was returning home from work, just 400 meters away. While returning, he was hit when police indiscriminately open fired in Rampura. He collapsed and was brought to the hospital.

Sohan spoke to Bonik Barta, “I was shot on my way home from the garment factory. The bullet hit the right side of my chest, breaking several ribs. I’m still scared because there are still bullets inside my body that the doctors couldn’t remove yet. They said it would take time.”

Sohan continued, “I am the only breadwinner in my house. I work in a garments factory to support my family. I used to bear the expenses of the whole family including my mother and sister. Now I'm the one who got shot. My uncle is taking care of us. I do not know what will happen in the future.”

Mumin, who was shot in Mirpur-10, is admitted to the Respiratory Care Unit (RCU) of the NIDCH. He joined the protest with his classmates on July 19. X-rays show a bullet lodged near his spine. His mother said, “Mumin took his higher secondary exams in 2023 and is preparing for university entrance exams for the second time.”

Mumin explained that his father is a truck driver. The family depends on his income. Since the injury, his parents have been living in constant worry. They are spending their days at the hospital, neglecting their meals. His father’s income has ceased, and they are paying for his treatment with loans. His mother added, “My greatest sorrow is that there are still bullets in my son’s body. He cries out in pain every now and then.”

Pobitra Kumar, a sweet supplier, was shot while delivering sweets in Mirpur-10. Speaking to him it was learned that his home is in Gazipur, but he works in Dhaka. He went out to deliver sweets on the day of the incident. The family of five, including his wife, two sons, and a daughter, has been paralyzed by his injury. They are struggling to cover his medical expenses. They are resorting to borrowing money.

On the third floor at the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College, Mariam Begum is sobbing beside her son Zulfiqar’s bed. He was shot in the eye on July 18. He was later admitted to the hospital. Though he has been released from the ICU, he is not out of danger.

Mariam Begum said that they are a family of four with my husband and two sons. To support the family, she works as a housemaid, and her husband is a security guard. Her younger son, Zulfiqar, worked at a jilapi shop to cover his educational expenses. Mariam Begum said, “We have no one to support us. I have to work as a housemaid. We don’t have to pay for my son’s bed, but the other medical expenses are beyond our means. Staying at the hospital prevents me from going to work. My husband can’t go to his duty either. We have no one to look after us.”