Cox's Bazar Correspondent 

Due to a financial crisis, the Ukhiya Specialized Hospital, located adjacent to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, has announced the suspension of its operations. The facility will be officially handed over to the relevant government departments on Wednesday. 

The UNHCR has expressed its concern over this development.

Shari Nijman, Communications Officer at UNHCR’s Cox’s Bazar office, stated that the Ukhiya Specialized Hospital has been providing crucial healthcare services to both the local Bangladeshi population and Rohingya refugees residing in nearby camps. The hospital was established and equipped in 2022 with financial assistance from Japan through UNHCR. 

Under a MoU signed with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, UNHCR has been gradually phasing out its involvement since mid-2024. In the interim, NGO organization Friendship has been temporarily managing the hospital’s operations.

She further said that the potential disruption of essential healthcare services highlights the growing impact of declining global humanitarian assistance, further widening the gap between needs and available resources. UNHCR is actively engaging with the Government of Bangladesh to find an immediate solution to ensure the uninterrupted operation of healthcare services at the hospital.

According to sources, the hospital previously offered a range of outpatient services daily, including maternal healthcare, dental care, eye care, physiotherapy, and laboratory tests. Additionally, the emergency department provided free medical services 24 hours a day. However, due to the financial crisis, the authorities have now suspended the hospital's operations.

Md. Shahinur, a physician at Friendship NGO and Ukhiya Specialized Hospital, stated that the hospital’s operations have been temporarily halted due to a lack of funds. “We are currently organizing and wrapping up the hospital’s activities. By May 14, it will be handed over to the authorities. If, in the future, the government, UNHCR, or any other donor organization provides financial support, we will resume the hospital’s services,” he said.

Ukhiya UNO Mohammad Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury said, “Due to financial constraints, the specialized hospital has been closed. It will now temporarily come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health. Later, those appointed by the Ministry will resume the hospital’s operations.”