Shariatpur patients suffer as relocated health complex opening in limbo

The people of 11 unions and a municipality in Naria upazila of Shariatpur are currently deprived of access to proper medical care as the newly constructed upazila health complex is yet to open owing to a High Court ban.

Opening of the facility worth Tk51 crore spanning six acres in Naria sadar was postponed in September last year following a writ petition at the High Court.

Earlier, in 2018, the old upazila health complex located on the riverbank in Mulfatganj area of Naria, some 4.5 kilometres away from the upazila sadar, was hit by river erosion. The three-storey main building of the 50-bed institution was devoured by the mighty Padma, while other buildings became vulnerable.

At that time, services of the health complex remained halted for almost one year.

Given the situation, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare decided to relocate the health complex to a safer location. Later on, six acres of land were acquired in Naria sadar for Tk23 crore, and buildings for the new health complex were constructed there by the Health Engineering Department, Shariatpur office, for Tk28 crore.

Construction of the four-storey facility, worth a total of Tk51 crore, was completed in June last year. Dormitories for doctors and nurses, a staff quarter, electricity substation, and a garage are among the buildings.

The facility was scheduled to be opened on 1 September 2024. It, however, faced obstructions from a section of locals from Mulafatganj who have been against the relocation move from the beginning.  

They protested the relocation with the apprehension that if the health complex is moved from Mulafatganj, the businesses growing in the area centring on the institution will suffer, affecting their livelihoods.

Subsequently, on 9 September last year, in response to a writ petition filed by a resident of Char Jujira area of Naria, an HC bench of Justice Kamrul Hossain Mollah and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque ordered a status quo on the proceedings of the new health complex in for six months.

Process to open the facility has remained halted since then.

Masud Dewan, a lawyer at Shariatpur Judge's Court, who has filed the writ on behalf of locals, told The Business Standard that protecting the health complex in Mulafatganj – which has been in service since 1962 – is their "fight for survival".

He said erosion risks to the institution have been reduced as an embankment has already been constructed on the riverbank. "So, why should the hospital be moved? That is why we are protesting."

With restrictions on the new facility in place, the riverside old health complex continues to operate on a limited scale. 

Visiting the erosion-hit institution in Mulafatganj recently, this correspondent found that activities of its emergency and external sections were being carried out at the staff quarter, while OT, x-ray and pathology departments remained halted due to lack of accommodation.

Having the main building submerged, the facility managed to treat indoor patients at an arrangement of 20 beds.

An official of the health complex, Kamrul Islam Majumder told TBS that at present they are carrying out activities of the emergency, outdoor, office, OT and pathology sections in their residential buildings. "In one word, we are providing health services in an adverse environment

"If the new hospital is opened, people from all parts of Naria will be able to get treatment easily," he added.

Habibur Rahman, a patient from the upazila's Kedarpur area, was waiting in the outdoor queue to get a ticket for the doctor's appointment.

He said he had been waiting for hours to get the ticket amid the bone-chilling cold. "On rainy days, we have to wait for long hours at the outdoor, disregarding rain to visit the doctor. In winter, we have to endure the cold."

He said it is uncertain when he will be able to visit the doctor as more patients are waiting.  

An indoor patient, Sattar Mia, who was admitted there three days ago, said the building is very shaky, with concrete debris intermittently loosening from its roof.

"In such a fragile building on the riverbank, one has to risk death to be treated," he said, adding that the building could go underwater at any moment.

Another patient from Naria municipality, Maya Rani said they have no other option than seeking treatment here as the new health complex is yet to arrange doctors or treatment.

On the other hand, the medical equipment in the new health complex, including those for diagnostic purposes, are sustaining damage due to lying idle. Also, complications have arisen regarding the electricity bill payment for the buildings, said officials.

Assistant Engineer at the Shariatpur office of the Directorate of Health and Engineering, Sabbir Ahmed Siddiqui told TBS that they had written to the Health Service Division for takeover of the new facility. But, they are yet to receive due to the writ at the High Court.