All types of medical services has come to a halt at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital after clashes took place on Wednesday morning.
Prof Khair Ahmed Choudhury, the Director of the institute, said, "There is no atmosphere to provide services at the hospital. So, all types of medical services, including emergencies, remain halted."
The director said that services will remain suspended at the hospital pending further decision from the higher authorities.
Our correspondent at 2:30pm found the entrance and exit gates of the hospital locked with scores waiting outside while protests continued inside the hospital.
Meanwhile, an inter-ministerial meeting has been called at 3:15pm at the home ministry regarding the clash and disruption of services, said health ministry officials.
Following two untoward incidents at the hospital over the last two days, hospital staffers including doctors and nurses, went on work abstention earlier this morning, citing security concerns.
Around 11:00am, a group of the injured July protesters attacked the hospital staff leading to a tripartite clash involving other patients and their attendants as well.
"Some doctors and nurses suffered injuries, and their residences also came under attack," he said.
Later, police and army personnel arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control, he added.
"But there is still no conducive atmosphere to provide services," he said.
On Monday, four injured victims of the July uprising attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison during a meeting at the hospital. They were later treated at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital.
Yesterday, the hospital Director Khair was confined to his office for around an hour and a half amid what he described as infighting between two groups of July Joddha.
One July protester alleged that the hospital authorities were being negligent about their treatment. He told this correspondent that the director was responsible for the untoward incidents of the last three days.
Khair was eventually rescued by one of the groups after law enforcers arrived on the hospital premises.
Imaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, said several persons were injured in a clash inside the hospital around 11:30am.
"We are at the scene now and looking into the matter," he told this newspaper around 2:15pm.
