Radda Centre to resume full opns today

The Radda Centre in Mirpur, Dhaka, is set to resume full operations today after repairs to the facility, which was vandalised and looted in an attack on September 24.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque announced the development after inspecting the health centre on Saturday, saying the repaired facility had been formally handed back to the Radda authorities.

He said repair work had been completed over the past week through collective and individual initiatives to restore the centre and ensure a suitable environment for healthcare services.

Aminul described the centre as a vital institution for maternal and child healthcare, noting that children regularly visit it for vaccination. He said steps had been taken from the outset to ensure that the attack did not disrupt its services.

Several people have been arrested in connection with the incident, and some looted items have been recovered, he said.

The remaining suspects and alleged masterminds would also be brought to justice, he added, urging the authorities to remain vigilant against misinformation.

On the night of September 24, a group allegedly attacked the centre in Section 1 of Mirpur, looting equipment and damaging several structures. According to accounts of the incident, around 200 people entered the premises carrying locally made weapons and heavy equipment.

The attackers demolished a tin-shed structure and three semi-permanent buildings and damaged doors and windows in five rooms of a permanent building, including the ultrasound room, vaccination room and laboratory.

Furniture, medical supplies, an ultrasonography machine, a generator, computers, printers, refrigerators, air conditioners and cupboards were allegedly taken away. The Radda authorities estimated the damage at more than Tk 1 crore.

A signboard bearing the name “Sammona Dokandar Samity Limited” was reportedly put up at the site following the attack.

A case was filed with Shah Ali Police Station, accusing 200 to 250 people. So far, 14 accused have been arrested.

Established in 1974, the Radda MCH-FP Centre provides maternal and child healthcare, childhood vaccination, reproductive health services and family planning to disadvantaged and low-income residents of Mirpur.