Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) on Sunday night besieged the university’s medical centre protesting the authorities’ alleged delay in sending an ambulance following the death of a student of the university.
The students blocked the main entrance of the university’s medical centre around 9:15 pm following the death of Zubair Hossain, a third-year student of the Anthropology Department.
Zubair, who had been suffering from hemophilia, passed away on Sunday morning while undergoing treatment at Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar.
Agitating students alleged that the university’s medical centre delayed sending an ambulance for Zubair on Saturday despite repeated calls which they believe contributed to the deterioration of his condition.
According to his friends, Zubair suddenly fell ill on Saturday and went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. After feeling somewhat better he contacted the university’s medical centre, requesting an ambulance to return to campus.
However, he was told that the ambulance was out of order and could not be sent to Dhaka.
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After nearly four hours of waiting, Zubair finally managed to return to the campus using the university's ambulance.
Later, as his condition worsened again with severe abdominal pain on Sunday, Zubair was taken to Enam Medical College Hospital where he died.
A video recorded by Zubair himself shortly before his death went viral on social media sparking outrage among students and criticism of the university's healthcare services.
Dr Md Shamsur Rahman, the chief medical officer of JU Medical Centre, said, “Everyone at the medical centre was aware of Zubair’s illness. We provided ambulance support whenever requested. However, it’s true that yesterday, when he needed an ambulance, there was a delay due to a shortage of vehicles. Only three ambulances are operational, and all were outside the campus at the time. As soon as one became available, it was sent for Zubair.”
JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan expressed deep shock over Zubair’s death.