Health adviser’s vehicle surrounded by patients at NITOR

Victims of July’s mass uprising surrounded the vehicle of Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum while she went to National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) to visit them.

She was accompanied by British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at NITOR at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital when the health adviser and the British diplomat arrived to check on those still undergoing treatment from injuries sustained during the July protests.

According to UNB reports, witnesses said that the situation turned tense after a member of Nurjahan Begum’s protocol allegedly pushed one of the patients, triggering discontent among the victims.

Some of the protesters raised additional complaints, criticising delays in funds from the July Smriti Foundation, which many had relied upon for medical and other assistance.

With tensions escalating, both the health adviser and High Commissioner Cook attempted to leave the hospital premises. But, the aggrieved patients and their supporters surrounded their vehicle, blocking their departure.

With the assistance of hospital staff and doctors, Nurjahan Begum and Sarah Cook eventually managed to leave the premises.