At infection risk for unrestrained visits

The recovery of the publisher and the two writers hacked brutally in the capital's Lalmatia four days ago may take time as they are at the risk of contracting infectious diseases due to unrestrained visits by journalists and politicians. 

Doctors are concerned about it because infections, if developed into sepsis, may be fatal. 

The trio -- Ahmedur Rashid Tutul, 43, Ranadipam Basu, 52, and Tareq Rahim, 32 -- bled excessively for almost an hour before being admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 3:30pm on Saturday, after unidentified assailants hacked them with sharp weapons.

Three bags of blood were needed to get Tareq out of concussions while Tutul was given two bags of blood. Tutul was hacked four times, Ranadipam six times and Tareq received three blows in the head and a bullet in the waist.

As the condition of Tutul and Ranadipam is now better than Tareq, they could not help receiving visitors, even several dozens at a time, every day.

For example, Tutul, who published books of slain writer Avijit Roy, was visited by Health Minister Mohammad Nasim with at least a 50-member team of journalists and security persons on Monday afternoon.

"There are blood clots in both his ears and it is difficult for him to listen to a question and respond," said Tutul's wife Shamim Runa.

She alleged journalists did not even ask for her permission to enter the cabin.

Tutul also has diabetes and high blood pressure.

"Even the president should be requested not to visit such patients as they are at high risks of developing infections," said a senior doctor at the DMCH Hematology Department.

Bleeding reduces the level of hemoglobin in blood, weakening the body's natural immune system. And the fresh blood transfused into the body is a threat in itself, he said, asking not to be named in line with protocol.

"Blood transfusion is allowed only in the case of saving a life as it takes a while for the fresh blood to come to terms with the patient's original blood," he added.

Over time, diseases like kidney failure may result from the transfusion of blood that may be carrying organisms of many diseases. 

Prof Amzad Hossain, former head of Orthopaedic Surgery Department at the DMCH, said this concern was very real.

"An infection can develop into sepsis and a septic shock can be fatal," said Amzad. 

DMCH Director Brig Gen Mustafizur Rahman admitted that such visits could be problematic and could hamper the treatment.

"A nine-member medical board is overseeing their [Tutul and Tareq's] treatment," said Mustafizur, adding, "We hope nothing bad will happen."

Tareq, the third victim, is still being fed liquid food. He cannot move two fingers of his left hand because of head and hand injuries.

Asked about the bullet that is still inside Tareq's body, Mustafizur said, "The bullet is not causing any problem at the moment. We will remove it at a suitable moment."

The on-duty medical officer, without giving his name, told The Daily Star that it would take at least 10 days to remove Ranadipam's left hand stitches and a week to remove stitches in his head.

Of the three, Ranadipam appeared to be in a better condition.