The X-ray room at the 50-bed Madhabpur upazila health complex in Habiganj has been out of service for around 16 years. This situation has left patients from 11 unions of Madhabpur upazila without access to much-needed X-ray services, compelling them to turn to expensive private alternatives.

Authorities at the hospital blamed the machine's protracted inactivity on the lack of a qualified technician, which forced the X-ray room to close for an extended period of time.

According to the sources in the complex, the X-ray machine operated until 2006 after being installed in 2001. No one was hired as replacement after the technician's transfer, and the X-ray room's operations came to an abrupt halt.

The X-ray machine and the room have been out of service and inaccessible ever since.

Visiting the health complex recently, this correspondent saw that the X-ray room was closed, as a rusted lock hung at the door, while the door was covered in spider webs. 

Ruban Mia, a resident of Madhabpur town, said, "I experienced chest pain and sought medical attention. To my dismay, I discovered that the X-ray machine was out of order, forcing me to resort to a private facility, which cost me a lot of money."

Md Salauddin, another local, highlighted the plight of Madhabpur's low-income tea community, which continues to suffer due to the X-ray machine being dysfunctional.

A radiographer from a nearby private diagnostic centre seeking anonymity, said the upazila health complex's X-ray machine had been out of service for a long time, fuelling the growth of private X-ray businesses as a result.

Chhatiain UP chairman Minhaj Uddin Kased Chowdhury urged the authorities to fix the machine immediately.

Olid Mia, president of Madhabpur Press Club, said this health complex treats lower and middle-class residents from 11 unions and one municipal area. But still, no one objected to the X-ray machine staying out of service for 16 years due to a manpower shortage.

"If the machine gets fixed it will hamper the businesses of private X-ray services," he alleged.

Contacted, Dr AHM Ishtiaq Mamun, upazila health and family planning officer, said the operations are halted due to a lack of technicians in the X-ray section.

"I have written to the authorities several times regarding this, but to no avail," he said. 

The health official was unable to predict when a technician might join.