Far too many issues!
A high-level delegation, including city corporation mayor Serniabat Sadik Abdullah and Divisional Commissioner Md Saiful Islam, expressed displeasure at various management issues of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) after a visit yesterday afternoon.
They observed problems with the hospital's Covid-19 unit, elevators, electricity management and more.
After the visit, they sat for a meeting with hospital officials and based on the observations, they directed the hospital authority to co-ordinate with the public Works Department -- responsible for development works at the hospital -- to resolve the issues immediately.
The city mayor complained that the ongoing construction work at the hospital was substandard. Apart from this, as there is no separate subsection of electricity for the corona unit, electricity load is increasing on the unit, which could lead to accidents at any time.
Hospital director Dr HM Saiful Islam said, "The main hospital was supposed to have two more lifts, but they haven't been installed. The hospital's corona unit has also not been repaired in a long time."
In addition, many of the air conditioners aren't working well and are in need of repair, plasters are falling off the walls, while water and toilet facilities also have several issues, he said. As a result, the hospital is not being able to provide even the minimum of quality service.
Md Moniruzzaman Shahin, in-charge of the hospital's corona unit, said, "This hospital is the only modern hospital for one and half crore people (of the region)."
He said although there are long-standing problems, little is being done to address them.
Meanwhile, a patient admitted at a VIP cabin of the hospital said since he was admitted to the fourth floor of the hospital four days ago, the AC has not been functioning, tiles work was being done in the room, and even the toilet fittings were not working properly."
He alleged that the authorities are not taking initiatives even though patients are suffering in the hospital.
Oliver Guda, executive engineer of the public works department, Barishal, said, "The government has cut off Tk one crore and 50 lakh from our budget in the last financial year. As a result, the necessary works have been hampered."
"For this financial year, we have asked for an allocation of around Tk 9 crore," the official said. "If we get it, we will be able to solve some of these problems (at the hospital)."
Comments