Summary:
- CNG driver Ashraful Islam, shot in the head during July uprising protests at Mirpur 10, is being airlifted to Thailand’s Vejthani Hospital for advanced treatment.
- After being on life support for two months and developing a lung infection, a new medical board formed by Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum approved overseas treatment.
- Emergency passports were arranged within three days for both Ashraful and his wife to facilitate immediate medical evacuation.
- The air ambulance departure is scheduled for 8:20 PM today (January 9, 2025) to Thailand’s specialized medical facility.
A CNG auto-rickshaw driver severely wounded during Bangladesh’s historic July uprising will receive advanced medical care in Thailand as the interim government intensifies efforts to support victims of last year’s mass protests.
Ashraful Islam, who sustained a critical gunshot wound to the head during protests at Mirpur 10 in Dhaka, will be transported via air ambulance to Vejthani Hospital in Thailand at 8:20 PM today.
The victim was shot around 10 AM on August 5 during demonstrations and was immediately rushed to the National Institute of Neurosciences Hospital. Under the care of Dr. Moazzem Hossain Talukder, Ashraful underwent emergency surgery and spent two months on life support in the ICU.
Though eventually able to survive without life support, Ashraful never fully regained consciousness. His condition further deteriorated when he developed a lung infection on December 24.
Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum has been closely monitoring the case. While an initial medical board did not recommend overseas treatment, a new board formed on January 5 under the adviser’s instructions reversed this decision.
“Within just three days, all arrangements were made for Ashraful’s trip abroad,” noted Dr. Mahmudul Hasan, personal officer to the health adviser, who helped expedite emergency passports for both Ashraful and his wife.
The July uprising, which led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, resulted in over 600 casualties. The interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, has recently announced plans to provide 2.32 billion taka in compensation to families of martyrs and those injured during the protests.
Vejthani Hospital, known as the “King of Bones” in Thailand’s medical community, is a leading international tertiary care facility with comprehensive medical services and state-of-the-art technology for treating complex cases.
Source: TBS News
