Danger at Kulaura health complex

Sadek Mia recently went to Kulaura Upazila Health for the treatment of his child. But soon an eerie feeling gripped him looking at the bleak surroundings.

The two-storey building is worn out and crumpled.

"When I entered the building, I got panicked. The building might collapse anytime," said Sadek Mia.

His wife Husna Begum said the hospital itself is sick and battered. It needs to be treated first.

Not only Sadek or Husna but also most of the patients coming to the hospital also feel the same, since some 30 rooms inside the building are in most dilapidated conditions.

The building's roof might collapse anytime, feared the officials concerned, adding that they have no other options but to work there as alternatives have not been arranged.

The building has a total of 30 rooms on the first and second floors. These rooms include the emergency department, two wards for male and female patients, a warehouse, a children's ward and offices.

During a recent visit, cracks were found on ceilings and walls. Plasters were seen falling off the walls and water kept on dripping from the ceilings. There were patches of rust on the doors and windows due to a lack of maintenance.

"We need to examine patients, which require time. But I am too scared to stay inside the building," said Resident Medical Officer Dr Zakir Hossain.

According to health department sources, the activities of the health complex started in 1967 in this two-storey building. At that time, it had 31 beds. It was upgraded to 50 beds by constructing another concrete building next to the old building in 2006.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Ferdous Akter said every day about 200 patients come to the hospital for treatment in the emergency and outpatient departments of the health complex.

Monirul Haque, assistant engineer of the Department of Health Engineering in Moulvibazar, said a proposal to renovate the building at a cost of Tk 25 lakh has been initially approved by the higher authorities.