Photo : Messenger
Ward No. 520 serves as an observation room within the Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, where injured patients grapple with the precarious balance between life and death. Inside these walls, the struggle for survival is palpable, with each patient's fate hanging in the balance. Nobody can predict who will emerge from this room with life intact, and who will only leave behind a shell of their former selves.
Outside the observation room, parents anxiously await news of their loved ones, their hearts heavy with the looming specter of death. Their fear is palpable as they stand vigil, unable to communicate with their injured children who often suffer from severe burns, leaving them partially unable to speak.
Rakib, a 25-year-old resident of Katherpul, Old Dhaka, found himself trapped inside a restaurant building after a blast, engulfed in ash, smoke, and gas. Despite efforts by the fire service to rescue him using a crane, he emerged severely injured. Rushed to the hospital's burn unit, Rakib's condition remained critical.
In the hospital's observation room, Rakib's mother, Reshma Khatun, anxiously waited to see her son. However, upon meeting him, Rakib remained silent, unable to communicate with his worried mother. As doctors prescribed medications for his injuries, Reshma and other relatives could only hope and pray for Rakib's recovery, their hearts heavy with concern for his well-being.
On a Friday afternoon, Nilufa Panna made the journey from Feni to the hospital in Dhaka. Her son, Abrar Fardin, 26, had traveled from China, where he was studying Software Engineering, to donate blood to his grandfather, who was admitted to Birdem Hospital. After the donation, Abrar went to Bailey Road to enjoy dinner, only to find himself caught in the tragic gas cylinder blast at Kacchi Vhai restaurant.
Nilufa, unaware of the extent of her son's injuries, anxiously awaited news at the hospital. The duty doctor informed her that Abrar had been affected by the gas blast, with severe lung injuries. The doctor's concerns about Abrar's recovery only heightened Nilufa's fears, leaving her in a state of uncertainty and distress.
Talking to the daily Messenger, Nilufa Panna expressed her anguish, explaining that her son had come to Dhaka from China specifically to visit his ailing grandfather, who required a blood transfusion due to old age complications. As fate would have it, Abrar Fardin found himself engulfed in the fire blaze resulting from a gas cylinder blast while he was dining at a restaurant.
Meanwhile, Anan Kazi, an 18-year-old resident of Bashundhara, is also battling for his life in ward No. 520. His parents and relatives anxiously await the opportunity to speak with him, desperate for any sign of improvement. However, the duty doctors have restricted visitation, indicating that Anan is not currently in a condition to communicate. With the doctor's inability to provide assurance regarding Anan's recovery, his loved ones remain gripped by fear and uncertainty.
Health Minsiter Dr Samanta Lal Sen conveyed to the Daily Messenger, "The patients currently undergoing treatment are in extremely critical condition. While we are dedicating our utmost efforts to their care, we cannot guarantee their swift recovery. We have advised their parents to keep them in their prayers during this challenging time."
Messenger/Fameema
