Alhaj MA Khaleque Hospital at Kazoli village in Magura's Sreepur upazila has come as a blessing for the poor in the area.

Since 1994, the hospital built on 40 decimals of land by AKM Shamsul Azam Bachchu has been provding healthcare and medicine free of cost, said Dr Pankaj Biswas of the hospital.  

Bachchu, who died in 2015, named the hospital after the name of his late father Al-haj MA Khaleque. After Bachchu's demise, his son Shahjad Azam Kiron, a successful businessman in Dhaka, has been bearing all the expenditure of the hospital, said the doctor.

The hospital has an on-duty doctor, an office assistant, a nightguard and a nurse. It costs around Tk one lakh per month, he said.

Although the hospital is not well equipped, the poor patients are blessed with free service and medicines. It has now turned into a last resort for the poor patients, said Pankaj.

Besides, the hospital has saved the ultra poor patients from the hassle and difficulties of a government hospital. The government hospital is at Dariapur, which is four kilometres from this hospital. So residents of five villages throng the hospital to get treatment and medicines. The patients get service six days in a week except Friday. Most of the patients who suffer from complicated diseases get free medicine.

During a recent visit, Dr Pankaj told this correspondent, “I get immense pleasure in serving the poor ones. When they recover after taking treatment and medicine from me, my joys know no bound.” Here they are not harassed and cheated, he said.

Aleya Khatun, 55, of Mangondanga village said this is the best place for the poor patients. They are blessed with the hospital.

“I have been taking treatment from here for two months. I am now in sound health. I feel happy to come here as there is no chaos and confusion,” she said.

Patients receive free medicines.

Another patient Abdul Khalek Biswas, 70, of Amtoyel village, said, “I often come to the hospital. The doctor behaves with us very well, he is always smiling and gives us treatment with medicine.”   

Nurjahan, Selim Reza and Braza Bashi Das echoed the same sentiment.

Office assistant Md Masuduzzaman said, “I have been serving here since its inception. I provide tablet Napa, Paracetamol, Cotrim etc. Liquid medicines like Brodil, Napa and Cotrim are also provided. 

Headmaster Mollah Foyzur Rahman Lavu of Amtoil High School said, “This hospital has brought about a revolutionary change in the area in case of free treatment. We are all indebted to it. It is a last resort for the poor patients.”

Sabdalpur Union Parishad Chairman Mollah Nurul Hossain said, undoubtedly this hospital plays a vital role for the poor patients. Here they get free treatment and medicine. The owner of this hospital is a benevolent person.