Cattle market hemming in hospitals
A cattle market in the Agargaon area has put the lives of scores of critical patiens in jeopardy as it blocks the approach to some major hospitals in the city. Desperate to get redress, the health ministry on Monday sought the home ministry's intervention, as the relevant authority, the LGRD ministry, wouldn't listen to its plea.
It is not only patently irresponsible, but also an instance of utter insensitivity to public welfare and access to medical facilities on the part of LGRD ministry. The ministry looks after the affairs of the local government bodies, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in this case which leased out the space for the cattle market.
The chaotic situation created by the flow of sacrificial animals and their handlers is blocking the access to hospitals, hindering medical treatment of citizens, and causing impediment to public mobility in that busy hub of hospitals.
Is it not strange that the existence of a traumatology and orthopaedic hospital, a paediatric hospital, cardiovascular and mental hospital, among others, did not cross the minds of DNCC officials even for a moment when they decided to let a cattle market operate there? One is dismayed at DNCC chief executive's logic that they did it out of compulsion as there was no other alternative venue at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. What can be a more unabashed advocacy for pure profiteering than this to dismiss all other considerations including working of the hospitals in the interest of a huge number of patients?
The government must move to see that the cattle market in question is relocated immediately away from present site.
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