Hospital becomes a death trap

Patients and their family members are facing fresh fears after coming to Matlab South 50 Bed Upazila Health Complex in Chandpur for treatment. Large cracks have appeared in the ceilings of different hospital buildings. Plaster, cement and brick chips are continuously falling from various places. As a result, patients, doctors, nurses and hospital officials and employees are spending their days in anxiety, fearing a major accident could happen at any time.

A visit to the hospital found that plaster has fallen from the ceilings in different areas on the first and second floors. In some places, steel reinforcement bars have become exposed. Patients are being forced to avoid the hazardous sections. Even when they have to use those areas out of necessity, their eyes remain fixed on the ceiling. Although the hospital authorities have put up warning notices, the fear has not subsided because there has been no permanent solution.

According to hospital sources, the 50 bed health complex has long been plagued by various problems. Of the 40 approved physician positions, only 18 are currently filled. Of the 192 approved positions for officers and employees, only 116 are currently occupied.

The hospital is also facing a shortage of nurses and does not have an anesthesiology specialist. As a result, no cesarean sections can be performed at the hospital. In addition, there is no ambulance, X ray machine or several other essential medical equipment.

Chanaullah, a resident of Induria village in Matlab North Upazila who came to the hospital for treatment, said, “I stayed at the hospital for three days with my daughter. Every time I came down from the second floor, I had to keep looking up at the ceiling. Large pieces of cement and debris often fall from the cracked sections. It is impossible to stay in a hospital under such fear.”

Patient Shahnaz Begum from the Matlob Bordia area said, “People come to a hospital to recover. But here we have to live with fear. We are constantly worried that the ceiling could collapse on our heads at any moment. I demand that the hospital building be repaired quickly and that the necessary medical equipment be provided.”

Farzana, a family member of a patient, said, “Even while waiting for a long time in front of the doctor’s chamber, our eyes kept going back to the ceiling. There is a risk that plaster could fall at any moment.”

Dr. Rajib Kishore Bonik, a physician at the hospital, said, “Cracks have appeared in different areas of the first and second floors of the hospital building. Plaster, cement and brick chips are falling from the ceiling. Warning notices have been posted in hazardous areas to alert the public. Despite limited facilities, we are continuing to provide regular medical services.”

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Md. Golam Rayhan said, “The issue of plaster falling from the hospital building has been reported to the higher authorities. At the same time, there is a shortage of doctors, nurses, manpower and medical equipment. Despite these limitations, we are making every effort to provide healthcare services.”

Regarding the matter, Matlob South Upazila Nirbahi Officer K M Ishmam said, “I am aware of the issue of plaster falling from the hospital building. Necessary measures will be taken with the relevant authorities for its prompt renovation.”