Pirojpur 250-bed district hospital built at TK 70 cr to be opened without elevator
SM Shipper, Nazirpur (Pirojpur)
The 250-bed modern district hospital in Pirojpur, built at a cost of Tk 70 crore, is set to be operational after nearly two years of construction, ending a long wait. The authorities have decided to start medical services on up to four floors of the hospital by June 30. However, the hospital is yet to be fully operational due to the lack of electricity connection, furniture installation and elevator.
Locals hope that once the new hospital opens, not only Pirojpur but also about two million people in the surrounding districts will have access to modern and advanced medical services. This will also greatly reduce the need to suffer and go to divisional cities for treatment.
Pirojpur Sadar Hospital started its journey in 1984 with 31 beds. In 1997, a new building with 50 beds was built and in 2005 it was upgraded to 100 beds. In 2017, it was announced to build a 250-bed modern hospital for the people of Pirojpur. Initially, there were plans for a seven-story building, but later it was upgraded to nine floors.
Although the work was not completed on time due to the Corona pandemic, the construction work was completed in December 2024. The hospital, built at a cost of about 700 million taka, could not be inaugurated until now because the elevator and electricity connection work were incomplete.
Currently, the authorities are struggling to cope with the pressure of patients in the 100-bed district hospital. Due to the shortage of beds, many patients have to receive treatment on the floor and are referred to Khulna or Barisal for better treatment. In this situation, new hope has been instilled among the people around the new hospital.
Shamim Sheikh, a resident of Durgapur Union in the city, said, "There is a huge pressure of patients at the current hospital. Although the new building was constructed about six-seven years ago, the activities have not started yet. If the hospital is opened soon, the suffering of ordinary patients will be greatly reduced."
Abdul Qayoum, a resident of Namazpur area, said, "After being admitted to the district hospital, I was referred to the 250-bed Khulna Hospital. Once the new hospital in Pirojpur is opened, I will not have to go far for treatment."
Alea Begum, a resident of Shankarpasha area, said, "There are no seats available in the current hospital, and many times we have to sit on the floor. We hope to get better medical services when the new hospital opens."
Pirojpur Public Works Department Executive Engineer Shahidul Islam said, "Work is underway to connect electricity and install furniture. The four floors of the hospital will be handed over to the civil surgeon by June 30. Tenders for four lifts have been completed. Work is underway to manufacture lifts in Europe. Hopefully, they will arrive in the country by October and it will be possible to install them."
Pirojpur Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Matiur Rahman said, about 90 percent of the work of the hospital has been completed. The inauguration has not been possible yet as the work of electricity connection and furniture is pending. However, we hope to start activities up to the fourth floor by June 30. After the installation of the elevator, full services will be started up to the ninth floor in stages. There is a shortage of some doctors and manpower. The matter has been informed to the higher authorities. If the necessary manpower is available, it will be possible to ensure the desired healthcare centered around the new building.
As the hospital's partial operations are about to begin after a long wait, the people of Pirojpur hope that this largest healthcare center in the district will soon be fully operational and the common people will receive modern and quality medical services.
