Dhaka: Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), formerly known as BSMMU, has provided medical care to over 200 individuals who sustained injuries during the July uprising. The medical care recipients include 26 individuals with bullet injuries, 21 with pellet injuries, 16 with physical injuries, 15 with spinal injuries, and two who were injured after falling from a height. This information was revealed at a seminar held at the university.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the BMU Central Seminar Sub-Committee organized the seminar titled ‘Medical Response of BMU to the July Uprising: Surgical and Orthopedic Perspective’ at the A-Block Auditorium of the university. During the seminar, Dr. Md. Ashraful Islam, Associate Professor of the hand surgeon division of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and Dr. Mohammad Faruk Ishtiaq, Associate Professor of the Department of General Surgery, made keynote presentations.
Dr. Ashraful Islam highlighted that over 200 patients injured during the July Uprising received treatment under the special care of the Orthopedic Surgery Department. In addition, 39 major operations were performed across various units. Pellets found in different parts of the body, causing significant pain, were removed surgically. The majority of the operations were for nerve injuries, with procedures such as nerve repair, grafting, neurolysis, nerve transfer, and tendon transfer being conducted.
Moreover, thirteen patients underwent surgery for various types of fractures, with some receiving additional treatments alongside the surgery. A bullet lodged in the knee was removed through arthroscopy. Patients with spinal cord injuries were treated conservatively. Those experiencing mental breakdowns received appropriate treatment through the relevant departments. The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation played a significant role in treating most patients, who were given treatment free of cost under the university’s management.
After the government change on August 5, BMU played an important role in the treatment of those injured in the mass uprising. With support from the current administration of BMU, general and orthopedic surgeons and specialists worked diligently to treat various injuries such as gunshot wounds, bleeding, fractures, joint issues, and nerve damage. There is a pressing need for long-term medical care and rehabilitation for the injured, which the current administration of BMU, along with surgeons, doctors, and specialists, are actively addressing.
BMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shahinul Alam, speaking as the chief guest, noted that individuals injured during the July uprising did not have the opportunity to receive proper medical care in government and private hospitals before the government change on August 5. However, after August 5, BMU promptly took initiatives to provide medical care to those injured in the uprising.
Speaking as a special guest, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Development) Professor Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman Howlader stated that BMU has made a unique contribution to the treatment of those injured in the July Uprising. This contribution has facilitated the recovery of the injured by providing surgical and orthopedic medical services, enabling many patients to recover quickly and start returning to normal life.
The seminar was chaired by Central Seminar Sub-Committee Chairperson Professor Dr. Afzalun Nesa, with Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Treasurer Professor Dr. Nahrin Akhtar, and Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam in attendance. Dr. Khaled Mahbub Morshed (Mamun) moderated the seminar.