Mathbaria Upazila Health complex: Construction stalled for 10 months, patients suffer

Patients at the Mathbaria Upazila Health Complex in Pirojpur are facing severe hardship as construction of the hospital's new building has remained suspended for the last 10 months, badly affecting both indoor and outdoor services.

Since the construction began, key facilities such as X-ray and caesarean sections relied upon by residents of at least five surrounding upazilas have remained closed, forcing patients to seek treatment elsewhere or endure delays.

The project to upgrade the 50-bed hospital to a 100-bed facility started in August 2023 at a cost of around Tk 31.5 crore under the Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme (HPNSP). The five-storey building, with a foundation for six storeys, is scheduled to be completed by June next year.

However, after around 45 percent of the work was completed, the contractor abandoned the project citing a fund crisis, leaving the construction site idle for months.

The project also includes residential facilities for doctors, nurses and staff, as well as vertical expansion of the old building. With the new structure incomplete, indoor services are now being provided from an old staff quarters building, where male and female patients are forced to stay in the same rooms. Due to space constraints, patients suffering from infectious diseases are also being kept together.

"There are nine beds here, but at best four can be properly arranged," said Majnu Mia, a patient's relative, adding that the lack of basic facilities has made hospital stays extremely difficult.

Another attendant, Jahanara Begum, said they were compelled to share rooms with male patients despite feeling uncomfortable. "Although we are unwilling, we have no other option. We are passing our days amid serious difficulties," she said.

Outdoor patient Farjana Akter said the hospital lacks minimum facilities, while long waits are common due to an acute shortage of doctors. "Patients often wait for hours but still fail to see the expected doctor," she said.

Echoing her frustration, Doly Akter said, "I cannot express in words how much difficulty we face while receiving services."

Resident Medical Officer Dr Md Ferdous Islam acknowledged the crisis, saying inadequate space has worsened patient suffering.

He noted that only six doctors, including administrative staffers, are serving more than 500 patients daily against 31 sanctioned posts. "Posting more doctors and completing the building would ease the situation," he said.

Tanjila Ferdousi, executive engineer of the Health Engineering Department in Pirojpur, said funds were allocated by Ecnec on November 10 to complete unfinished work. "Once the funds are released, necessary procedures will begin," she said, without giving a timeline.