On 2nd October 2024, a national-level roundtable discussion was arranged by SAJIDA Foundation and ORBIS International in the capital titled “A Call to Action: Addressing the Crisis of Injuries During the July Movement”.

Representatives from DGHS, NIOH, BSMMU, CMH-Dhaka, Ispahani Islamia Eye Hospital, Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh, different international NGOs working in the eye sector, JSSFBD, and BAPI, along with student coordinators, were present in the programme.

The programme started with opening remarks from Zahida Fizza Kabir, CEO, SAJIDA Foundation. She emphasised on prioritising a collaborative approach between public and private organisations along with student coordinators, to ensure effective medical management and successful implementation of proper rehabilitation planning. She stated, “We have to ensure that the family gets the highest level of satisfaction in terms of treatment of the injured.”

As the General Secretary of July Shahid Smrity Foundation, Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, mentioned, “All treatment costs and processes will be taken care of, through government hospitals by MoHFW. We need to share this information with all. Currently, our priority is to support the families of injured people suffering financial crises. Long-term rehabilitation through skill training like freelancing and educational support for the injured needs to be considered during rehabilitation.”

Prof. Abdul Qader of NIOH mentioned, “736 patients took treatment in IPD; Emergency surgery for 504 already completed; among them, 226 were vitreo-retinal surgeries; approximately 40 patients need corneal replacement, harvesting cornea through donors; and provision of import also need to be considered.”

Head of Eye Department of CMH, Dhaka, Brig. Gen. Prof. Dr. Zulfikar Hasan said, “We need to counsel these patients and their family members honestly through empathy. The health subcommittee of student coordinators can come forward to support them alongside the physicians. We need to ensure judicious referral abroad.”

Dr. Niaz Abdur Rahman and Prof. Shafi Khan of Bangladesh Eye Hospital mentioned, “We are already providing a 50% discount to surgery costs for all those who were injured at the July movement,, and to cover the rest, private donors came forward. It will be better if government authorities share the process of compensation for the injured in writing with private hospitals. A coordinated body needs to be formed to ensure further treatment and long-term rehabilitation. Representatives from different eye specialties (cornea, oculoplasty, and retina), DG Health, student coordinators, and NGOs working in mental health need to be part of this.”

Musabbir Alam, Country Manager of Fred Hollows Foundation Bangladesh, discussed, “We have already contacted the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Nepal to facilitate the import of donated cornea. In this regard, we will be in support with all government and private hospitals.”

Tariq Bin Reza, Member Secretary of Health Sub Committee, Student Coordinators, spoke about how stakeholders must plan rehabilitation holistically, and community based health care support is required to ensure follow up for the injured. He said, “Let's go to them with support before they have to come forward.”. Nahida Bushra, Convenor, said, “Mental Health Support and nutrition to the injured and their family also need to be ensured.”

Another member of the health subcommittee, Dr. Ataur Rahman Razib, mentioned, “We need to bring all the injured who need long term medical care to a single center to ensure comprehensive management along with mental health support.” Masuduzzaman, Member of the same committee, said, “Going abroad will not restore everyone's vision. Proper counselling of injured people and their families is of utmost importance”

CEO of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, Maj. Gen. Rtd. Mustafizur Rahman, mentioned,”‘We have been with the injured since the beginning, and we will be there as patrons, as reaffirmed by the President and Secretary General of BAPI. In association with SAJIDA Foundation, we have already extended our support to different government hospitals, their social welfare offices, the Chief Advisor's Fund, and the Chief of Army Staff's Fund.”

Chief Guest, Prof. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of DGHS, remarked that, “‘MoHFW directed DGHS to ensure all medical responsibilities for the injured through national institutes, medical college hospitals, and district hospitals. Multiple foreign expert teams will visit in the future to support eye injury patients. The Chinese medical team already worked for 7 days in different hospitals and praised our clinicians for their initial management of the injured. We will also expedite the import regarding corneal replacement. Medical rehabilitation will be taken care of by us but social rehabilitation is our national responsibility; organisations like SAJIDA and ORBIS's help is much required.

In closing remarks, Dr. Munir Ahmed, Country Director of ORBIS International and Chair of the INGO Forum working for EYE, mentioned that ORBIS Flying Hospital will be in Bangladesh by mid-November. He further said, “We need to keep track of eye-injured patients through a database for long-term follow-up and rehabilitation, like low vision aid support. We will take initiatives to have a national protocol for emergency eye care at every level, keeping all relevant stakeholders.” With a vote of thanks, Dr. Munir concluded the roundtable discussion.