Paranganj in M’singh: Hospital still not fully functional after 22 years

The Paranganj Hospital in Mymensingh, built to provide healthcare services to people of remote shoal areas, has remained largely non-functional even 22 years after its establishment.

According to hospital sources and locals, a prolonged shortage of doctors and staff has prevented the hospital from becoming fully operational. Although it was supposed to have 20 inpatient service beds, it currently has none. Only outdoor services are being provided, with around 200 patients visiting daily, said hospital officials.

Located in Paranganj union under Mymensingh Sadar, the two-storey hospital building and quarters for doctors and staff were constructed on three acres of land in 2006, spending around Tk 4 crore. It was intended to provide round-the-clock facilities, including crucial maternity services, but none of these are available. The inpatient department has remained non-operational since its inception.

"The outdoor services are run by only one doctor daily. Patients have to wait long hours for their turn," said Ali Asgar, a retired schoolteacher.

Md Afazuddin, a member of Paranganj Union Parishad, said many patients are forced to travel to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, some 25 kilometres away, to receive proper treatment.

Dr Shahjahan Kabir, health and family planning officer of Mymensingh Sadar, said the hospital has 23 staff posts, including five doctors, but only two are currently appointed to run outdoor services.

He said the quarters for doctors and staff have become dilapidated after remaining unused for years. Some repairs were carried out recently after repeated requests to the Health Engineering Department for funds.

Civil Surgeon Dr Saiful Islam Khan  said they are taking steps to make the hospital fully functional.