Outdoor services at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in the capital resumed after more than two weeks on Thursday.
Several hundred patients were seen waiting in queues at the hospital this morning to purchase tickets for receiving treatment.
The hospital, located in the Agargaon area, had been padlocked since 28 May following a clash involving injured protesters from the July movement, who allegedly attacked doctors and staff over claims of medical negligence. Since then, all services—outpatient, emergency, and inpatient—remained suspended, leaving thousands without critical eye care.
On 4 June, services resumed at the emergency department on a limited scale.
Physicians and nurses said at least 80 patients took treatment while five patients also underwent surgery there on Wednesday.
As many as thirty patients were admitted to the hospital under the emergency department, they said.
Although patients could avail of services at outpatient and emergency departments today, they also suffered since other services did not resume.
Members of the police, Rapid Action Battalion, and Ansar were still deployed at the hospital.
National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital acting director Jan-e Alam said, “We informed earlier that all services would resume gradually. We hope to resume all services from Saturday.”
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
