Shibganj (Bogura) Correspondent

Even after 18 years of construction, the 20-bed Aliarhat Hospital in Shibganj, Bogura has not been operational. Lakhs of people have to suffer because this hospital built to ensure better treatment of the people in the remote areas of the upazila is not operational.

The authorities say that it is not possible to start the hospital as there is no allocation and no permission to hire manpower.

It is known that Aliarhat Hospital with 20 beds was built in 2005 at a cost of Tk 432 lakh, about 6 km away from Shibganj port. The hospital is also equipped with modern operation theater and many medical equipments. But due to lack of manpower, the hospital has not been opened till date.

Presently one resident medical officer, one medical officer and one sub-assistant medical officer are providing general outpatient health care in this hospital.

Medicines are provided there subject to the allocation of upazila health complex. Emergency patients are referred to Upazila Health Complex and Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, residents of Aliarhat Hospital with 20 beds recently formed a human chain demanding medical services.

They held this hour-long program in front of the hospital demanding health services for about lakhs of people of four unions including Atmul, Bihar, Kichak, Shibganj Sadar. Speakers in the human chain expressed their suffering without getting medical care.

Assistant Medical Officer Rafiqul Islam, who is in charge of the external department of the hospital, said that common diseases such as fever, cold and cough are being treated here. The medical equipment of the hospital has been shifted to Shibganj Health Complex.

At present there is no medicine allocated in the name of Aliarhat Hospital. Shibganj health complex gives some medicines, we are providing health services with that.

In this regard, Dr. Sutnu Roy, RMO of Aliarhat Hospital, said that during the then BNP government, 23 hospitals with 20 beds were constructed simultaneously across the country, including Aliarhat in Shibganj, Bogura. Due to various reasons none of which medical services have started.

Some manpower was recruited in Aliarhat Hospital in the beginning. But the hospital could not be opened due to insufficient supply of medicines and equipment.

Later recruited doctors are attached to local health complexes. However, official work is going on regarding the opening of the hospital. We hope that within a year it will be possible to solve all the problems and launch it.

Shibganj upazila executive officer Umme Kulsum Sampa said that Aliarhat 20-bed hospital could not be opened due to insufficient manpower.

At present several doctors including an RMO are providing treatment in the outpatient department. Necessary documents have already been sent to the ministry to start the hospital.