Rajbari's lone child hospital lies unused

The lone children's hospital in Rajbari has remained inoperative for the last one year and four months due to shortage of doctors, much to the suffering of child patients of the district.

“Rajbari Municipality Children Hospital under Rajbari municipality was established in 1996 at Charlaxmipur area. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare appointed one doctor for the hospital in 1998 and Rajbari municipality provided two staff to help the doctor. The municipality paid the salary of the doctor. At least 50 to 60 patients from different areas of the district usually came here daily to take treatment there. But the hospital has remained inoperative since the doctor left in September 2017,” a Rajbari municipality official said.

During a visit to the one-storied hospital, this correspondent saw that the building had four rooms. One of the doors is broken and the three others are locked, while the windows are broken.

Locals said one room is used by Surjer Hashi Clinic for medical service on Tuesday every week. The two staff who helped the doctor, joined the health department of the municipality as the doctor left the hospital, they added.

“Rajbari Municipality Children Hospital is the only child hospital in our district, so many child patients from different areas of the district came here for treatment. We urge the hospital authorities to appoint a doctor as soon as possible,” said Aktaruzzaman, 35, a resident of Charlaxmipur area.

“We have been deprived of getting treatment from the hospital. It was very helpful for poor people as they got treatment at low cost,” said Sriti Roy, 55, another resident of the same area.

 “This hospital is only for children, but now all children patients have to go Rajbari General Hospital or Faridpur to get treatment, which increases their suffering,” said Azaz Ahmmad of the same area.

“The doctor of this hospital is appointed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the municipality pays the salary of the doctor, but there has been no doctor for the last one year and four months. We have sent a letter to the ministry concerned to appoint a doctor for the hospital as soon as possible,” said Mohammad Ali Chowdhury, Mayor of Rajbari Municipality.

“There is a shortage of doctors in Rajbari General Hospital, so we cannot appoint a doctor of that hospital to give treatment at the children's hospital,” said Rajbari Civil Surgeon Rahim Box.