Bangladesh News

Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) was packed yesterday afternoon with over a hundred patients hurt in the clashes at Paltan and Baitul Mokarram in the capital between the activists of Awami League (AL)-led 14-party opposition combine and the four-party alliance, especially from BNP and Jamaat.

On duty doctors at DMCH said only two wards could be allocated where over a hundred injured patients had to be crammed in.

Shortage of blood, medicine and beds at DMCH turned acute following influx of the injured from the recent clashes between the major parties.

The doctors said many patients are still losing blood and at least 50 bags of blood are urgently required.

The authorities were having a hard time to handle the chaotic situation in the wards crowded with more than one patient on the same bed along with hundreds of visitors, journalists, camera crew from TV channels, members of law enforcement agencies and curious citizens.

AL central leader advocate Shahara Khatun was seen with a megaphone — requesting visitors to vacate the wards in a bid to help the authorities get a grip of the situation.

The DMCH authorities gave assurance of providing necessary medicines to the injured from the DMCH Emergency Store, but admitted of having no arrangement of blood storage in the Emergency Store.

However, relatives of many patients were seen buying medicines from stores outside.

Patients without any relative or attendant were found laid down on their beds being treated only with saline.

Masud Alam Rasel, 34, member of Dhaka district Jubo League, was shot in the chest and was bleeding profusely.

Doctors said he urgently needed four to five bags of blood. His relatives were seen looking for blood frantically.

Many patients were seen leaving DMCH for other hospitals and clinics.

Relatives of many activists of different political parties also gathered at DMCH to find out if anyone they know has been injured.