People injured during the July Uprising are now saying they’re being refused treatment at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, better known as Pongu Hospital.
The shocking claims came to light on Saturday after members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement went to the hospital to check on patients and hear their stories.
“We received numerous complaints from the injured and their families,” said spokesperson Synthia Jaheen Ayesha during a press briefing held afterward. “One mother told us the hospital refused to readmit her son after she had temporarily taken him home.”
According to Ayesha, the mother works as a domestic worker to afford her son’s food and medicine. She added that no clear plan is in place for the injured patients’ ongoing care.
The group’s president, Rifat Rashid, also spoke. “There is deep dissatisfaction among the injured regarding their treatment,” he said. “Rumors about syndicates forming inside the hospital are distracting from the real issue. During the movement, these same people were united. They now deserve proper care.”
Rashid said he and other committee members spoke to the hospital director but were met with silence when they asked why treatment was being withheld.
“He said he’s helpless. But when we asked why, there was no explanation. Only the health adviser can answer this. We intend to speak with him soon,” he added.
One patient, Sourav, said he was among those promised readmission after returning home for Eid. “They asked us to go home with the promise we could come back. But when we returned, we were refused.”
Sourav claimed some of the injured are developing infections due to inadequate medical supervision.
“If we don’t get proper treatment, July will happen again inside this hospital,” he warned.
Another injured protester, Ashiq, described being turned away despite returning to the hospital nearly two weeks ago. “I came back 11 days ago. They still haven’t admitted me. I sleep on the floor. I’m only here hoping they’ll finally take me in.”
The press conference ended with slogans calling for change. The chant echoed through the hospital corridor:
“No more syndicates over treatment!”
As the complaints grow louder, attention may shift toward the government’s handling of post-protest healthcare. For now, patients wait in limbo—many still on the floor, uncertain whether help is coming.
