BOGRA, Nov 28: People of Santahar Municipality in Adamdighi Upazila here have been deprived of healthcare services for incomplete 20-bed hospital for the last 13 years.
The contractor of hospital fled away withdrawing the construction bill, and since then the locals have been deprived of getting proper healthcare from the hospital. For lack of maintenance, it has become a safe haven for wild animals and local vagabonds.
According to field sources, following the long-standing demand of the locals, the construction of the 20-bed hospital started in 2004 at Rathbari area in Santahar Municipality under the supervision of the Department of Public Health and Engineering (DPHE) with a cost of Tk 3,33,42,488 funded by the Health and Family Planning Ministry. A company of Dhaka Kit Way Pack was appointed as the contractor.
After completion of 80 per cent work, the contractor stopped the work. In the meantime, the hospital was inaugurated on October 22, 2006.
A total of eight officials and staff including nurse, ward body and technician were appointed but as the hospital has not been started yet, they are currently working at Adamdighi Upazila Health Complex on deputation.
Since the inauguration, the hospital has been left incomplete. As a result, the local people have expressed anger as they are not getting any healthcare facilities from the hospital.
As the hospital building has been left uncared, weeds have grown on the surroundings. Plasters have fallen from the walls while the hospital compound has become a safe haven for wild animals and vagabonds.
Locals said they are suffering from insecurity as anti-social people are reigning the area. They, however, demanded immediate start of the hospital activities.
Executive Engineer of Bogra DPHE Ashutosh Karmaker said, "The contractor Kit Way Pack got the work order of the hospital on May 25, 2004. The work was meant to be completed within next 18 months. But, as the work was not completed, the DPHE sent letter to the contractor but there was no response. Later, in 2006, the hospital was inaugurated while the contractor fled away withdrawing the bill of the 80 per cent construction work. Later, on April 3, 2011, the tender with the company was cancelled. Currently, the DPHE got the new work order and got allocation of Tk 1.75 crore to finish the rest of the work. Whenever we get permission from the concerned authority, we will start the work."
Civil Surgeon of Bogra Dr Shamsul Haque said the concerned authority has not handed over the hospital yet while the appointed employees are now working on deputation at Upazila Health Complex.
