Wliullah Emran, Barguna

Barguna, once a peaceful town in the southern region, now resembles a city of the dead. Every morning, instead of sunlight, the air cries of grief. Someone’s only son has died, someone else’s little sister is battling for her life in the ICU. Fever strikes, the body collapses in pain. Then the platelet count drops, and the heartbeat silently stops. Barguna is now a dengue red zone. Yet the public health system is virtually powerless in confronting this crisis.

Investigations reveal: no beds in hospitals, no medicines, no saline. Patients are sent home with only faith in God.

Doctors and nurses at Barguna General Hospital are trying their best with compassion. However, due to lack of manpower, equipment, ICU facilities, and infrastructure, they are overwhelmed. The number of infected patients is rising daily, but treatment remains far below expectations. Many dengue patients are rushing to Barisal or Dhaka in search of better treatment. But during the long journey, many die inside ambulances. Life is being lost simply due to the lack of proper care.

Having fought the battle of life and lost a beloved friend, fellow student and roommate Md. Mehedi Hasan said, “If there had been an army camp, he might have been alive today! The people of Barguna earnestly request the establishment of an army medical camp.”

Prince, Mehedi's close friend, classmate, and roommate, Md. Naimur Islam Prince (26), was just attending university classes a few days ago — now he lies in a grave.

His friend added, “After contracting dengue, he was first taken to Barguna, then Barishal, and finally to Kurmitola General Hospital’s ICU in Dhaka. But he never returned. Early Friday morning, he died.

Prince lost his mother in childhood. He was raised by his grandfather and uncles. He supported himself through tutoring and completed his studies. He had just passed his Master’s from Barguna Government College. Unmarried, Prince had a promising future — a dream cut short by dengue.

When asked about the rise in dengue cases, several conscious citizens — Zakir Hossain Miraj, Abu Zafar Saleh, Md. Munir Chowdhury, Hosne Ara Hasi, Adv Monirul Islam, and others — said that stories like Prince’s are only increasing. Right now, there is one thing on everyone’s lips in Barguna: If the army establishes a medical camp, thousands of lives could be saved. The army has experienced doctors, manpower, their own ambulances, speed boats, helicopters, mobile units, emergency medicines, saline, platelet kits — and unmatched discipline in crisis response. This camp would not just offer medical services; it would serve as a humanitarian assurance to Barguna. Dengue is now a war! And in this war, help from a force like the army is absolutely essential.

Barguna Press Club President Adv Sohel Hafiz said, “Barguna is going through a tragic time! In this painful moment, it is imperative that a military medical camp be set up in Barguna. This is not just about Barguna — it reflects the state of Bangladesh as a whole.”

“Barguna is a part of our country. If we ignore its cry today, tomorrow people of another district may face the same fate.”

He added, “On behalf of the people of Barguna, we humbly request to take urgent action. This is a demand of the hour, a humanitarian responsibility. Otherwise, the death toll will continue to rise!”

Former Women Vice Chairman and Acting President of the District Women’s Party, Mosammat Asma Akhtar, who lost her younger sister to dengue, said, “A city is drowning in illness and grief! But it’s also drowning in neglect. My only beloved younger sister Monalisa Akhtar Zerin (32) died of dengue, leaving behind her two-year-old child. For the first few days, Facebook was full of condolences. Then people moved on. But does a family's grief end with a Facebook post?”

She continued, “Five members of my family are infected with dengue. After my sister’s death, we’re living in constant fear! If the Bangladesh Army sets up a temporary medical camp.

Barguna Civil Surgeon Dr. Mohammad Abul Fattah said, “We are trying to manage the situation. We've received new doctors and nurses at the hospital. But we’re still struggling. The rate at which people are getting infected — if this continues — the death toll will keep increasing. In this exhausting moment, if the Bangladesh Army comes forward with a medical camp, we will welcome them with gratitude. And together, we may be able to reduce the procession of deaths.”

According to data from the District Civil Surgeon’s Office, 79 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals in Barguna in the last 24 hours. 106 patients have recovered and returned home. Currently, 215 are under treatment. Since January, a total of 1,838 people have been infected. Additionally, several hundred are being treated at private hospitals or at home.

So far this year, the death toll from dengue in the district has risen to 11. Of these, 5 died at the District Hospital and 6 at other hospitals.