Lack of staff leaves Tk 5cr health centre abandoned at Char Fasson

CHAR FASSON, BHOLA, Aug 24: A Tk 5 crore mother and child welfare centre built to provide healthcare to people in remote areas of Char Fasson Upazila remains locked and abandoned due to a shortage of manpower, leaving more than 100,000 people without access to the planned services.

The 10-bed Shashibhushan Mother and Child Welfare Centre was formally inaugurated on October 19, 2023. However, it has yet to start providing medical services.

The centre was built to provide Caesarean sections and treatment for children. Locals initially welcomed the facility, but they are now frustrated as it remains non-functional.

They said the centre lacks doctors, nurses, medicines and other necessary services.

A visit to the facility found a large padlock hanging from the main gate. The premises and surroundings have become overgrown with weeds due to prolonged neglect and lack of maintenance.

Moss has accumulated on the walls of the modern building, while valuable equipment and infrastructure inside are reportedly at risk of damage.

The centre has two doctors’ chambers, two nurses’ rooms, a pharmacy, laboratory, waiting room, counselling room, store, food service room and office, as well as a general ward, air-conditioned operation theatre and post-operative room.

However, the facility remains unused due to a shortage of staff, medical equipment and medicines.

Local journalist HM Noman and residents said the centre was essential for ensuring 24-hour emergency healthcare and safe deliveries for pregnant women and children from char and other remote areas.

As the centre is not operational, patients have to travel to the district headquarters or rely on expensive private clinics for even basic treatment and maternity care.

Poor families are particularly affected as they have to bear additional transport and treatment costs. In some cases, the condition of pregnant women and newborns reportedly deteriorates while being taken to distant hospitals.

Officials concerned said construction of the centre had been completed, but the facility could not be made operational because doctors, nurses, technicians and other staff had not been appointed.

Administrative approval and budget allocation required to launch services are also pending, they said.

Local residents and civil society members have demanded that the centre be opened immediately by appointing necessary staff and ensuring medical equipment and medicines.

They urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Directorate General of Family Planning to take urgent steps to make the facility fully operational.