Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum on Sunday highlighted the toll of the anti-discrimination movement, revealing that 873 individuals lost their lives, and over 21,000 were injured. Speaking at a meeting titled Involvement of NGOs in Health Services organized by the NGO Affairs Bureau, Noorjahan urged collective efforts to rehabilitate the injured and support those left disabled or jobless. She called on NGOs to identify individuals who have been overlooked in receiving medical care or have lost their livelihoods due to injuries, such as rickshaw pullers who can no longer work. “Of the 21,000 injured, 400 have lost their eyesight. What future awaits them? These individuals are our own people. We must stand by them during their mental and emotional trauma,” she said. The Health Adviser emphasized the shared responsibility of government and NGOs to integrate the injured into education and the workforce. “Seventy percent of those injured are common citizens, including rickshaw and van pullers, while the rest are students,” she added. Health Adviser calls for better utilization of medical training and return of doctors from abroad She also expressed concerns about maternal and child mortality, child marriage, and school dropouts, calling for enhanced collaboration between the government and NGOs to tackle these issues. On the dengue outbreak, she stated, “Deaths from dengue are avoidable if we raise public awareness. Everyone must act responsibly by preventing littering, clearing stagnant water, and staying vigilant.” Nurjahan Begum further noted corruption and mismanagement in the health sector but expressed hope for improvement through mutual cooperation. “The government alone cannot resolve these issues overnight, but with shared efforts, we can pave the way for progress,” she said. The discussion, chaired by Acting Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau Md. Anwar Hossain, was attended by special guests Saifullah Panna, Secretary at the Chief Adviser’s Office, and Md. Saidur Rahman, Secretary of the Health Services Division, along with representatives from local and international NGOs working in healthcare.

Nurjahan Begum, Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has revealed that the Health Protection Act, which was initiated in 2014, is yet to be finalized. However, she expressed optimism that it will be submitted to the Cabinet (Council of Advisers) by next week. She made these remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing an event as the chief guest at Dhaka University’s Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Hall. The event, titled “Celebrating the 200th Medical Camp,” was organized by Dreamer’s Consultation and Research in collaboration with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Speaking about medical care for injured protesters, the health adviser said, “We are doing our best to facilitate the treatment of the injured. In addition to our local doctors, we have brought in medical professionals from France and China." She also stated that eye specialists from Nepal have come, and they confirmed that the treatment provided here has been appropriate. IOM opens mental health support service center in Rohingya camp The event was presided over by Dhaka University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Mamun Ahmed. Other attendees included Hasnat Abdullah, Central Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with Abdul Kader, Mahin Sarkar, doctors, volunteers, and students.