Century old dispensary in sorry state
The century-old Phulbaria Dispensary, a health sub-centre at Phulbaria municipality, has been running its activities in a dilapidated tin-shed amid water-logging and piles of garbage.
Around 100 patients come to the sub-centre from different villages for treatment free of cost and medicines for 'general diseases' every day.
The dispensary was established by Maharaja Shashikanto Acharya Chowdhury, the then zamindar of Muktagacha of Mymensingh, on 97 decimals of land. It was the lone dispensary at that time.
Dr Md Asaduzzaman, medical officer of the centre, said patients and the staff suffer due to the unhygienic environment. The menace should be addressed soon for rendering proper treatment in a hygienic atmosphere, the doctor added.
Phulbaria upazila sanitary inspector Mahbub Hossain said the centre was under the district board and was used as the dispensary and office of the sanitary inspector. It was taken under the health ministry in 1973, he added.
In 2003, former minister for health and family planning Dr Captain (Retd) Mujibur Rahman Fakir said the centre would be upgraded to a 10-bed child and mother healthcare centre, but the plan is yet to be materialised, the sanitary inspector said.
Dr Md Ataul Jalil, upazila health and family planning officer, said “I talked to the authorities concerned for urgent repair of the centre and development of its compound soon to render smooth treatment facilities.
To relieve pressure on the upazila health complex, the authorities should provide the centre with modern amenities, locals said.
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