Tk 10.79cr trauma centre lies idle

A 20-bed trauma centre for accident victims, established beside the Jamuna Bridge in Mulibari area of Sirajganj, has yet to become operational in four years.

As a result, the newly-built infrastructure is gradually getting damaged due to a lack of maintenance, while more funds are being sought for repair work, sources said.

According to the Health Engineering Department (HED) in Sirajganj, the three-storey trauma centre was established to provide emergency treatment to road accident victims on the Jamuna Bridge West Zone, one of the busiest highways in the northern region, by acquiring around one acre of railway land beside Mulibari rail crossing.

The construction work began in 2019 and was completed in 2020 at a cost of Tk 10.79 crore. Later in June 2021, it was handed over to the health ministry, said Md Shahinur Islam, assistant engineer of HED in Sirajganj.

Efforts are underway to initiate the hospital's operation soon after equipping it with the required machinery and appointing necessary manpower.

— Dr Md Nurul Amin Civil surgeon of Sirajganj

Dr Md Nurul Amin, civil surgeon of Sirajganj, said although the construction work has been completed, the centre is yet to be equipped with necessary facilities and manpower, so its operation has not begun.

The health directorate approved 20 posts on February 5 this year, including two consultants, two medical officers and four senior staff nurses for the hospital, but appointments to the posts are yet to be made, he said.

"Efforts are underway to initiate the hospital's operation soon after equipping it with the required machinery and appointing necessary manpower," the civil surgeon added.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found the hospital building abandoned with doors closed for security. Due to lack of maintenance, the premises have become dusty while many fittings have deteriorated. A guard has been appointed to keep the establishment secured after a transformer was stolen from the premises recently.

"We have already submitted a proposal to conduct necessary repairs for Tk 25 lakh. Once funds are allocated, we will carry out the repairs and also install a new transformer," Shahinur Islam said.

According to Hatikumrul Highway Police, more than 100 people die and several hundred are injured in different areas of the northern highways every year.

Md Abdur Rouf, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, said, "If the trauma centre becomes operational, accident victims will receive emergency treatment that may save many lives."