UNB, Dhaka

A total of 625 people lost their lives and 18,380 were injured during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said the senior secretary of the Health Services Division on Wednesday.

However, MA Akmal Hossain Azad observed that these were not the final numbers, while speaking at a briefing in the conference room of the health ministry at the Secretariat.

“We have learned that 18,380 people have been injured, and 625 have lost their lives. We have tried to transfer the injured from one hospital to another for better treatment. Our utmost effort is to train service providers through data entry in various government hospitals to prepare for any future situation. We are trying to increase our capacity,” said Akmal.

“Some of the injured have died without treatment, and we will not be able to escape responsibility before the nation for that. Therefore, we are working in a coordinated manner. We are trying to arrange treatment for the injured students abroad. Even though it is not under our jurisdiction, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has provided free tickets. Even if no one does, we will make arrangements,” he added.

He further stated that a taskforce was formed to determine how many were injured or killed. This committee was formed under the leadership of a former senior health secretary.