Children’s hospitals must not lie idle

While many hospitals are struggling to cope with a growing number of child patients amid the measles outbreak, it is deeply frustrating that six specialised children’s hospital buildings across the country remain unused years after their completion. Built at a cost of Tk 320 crore and equipped with a total of 1,050 beds, including NICU facilities, these hospitals in Rangpur, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet and Cumilla reveal a failing system that does not serve our children when they need care the most.

According to a report by Prothom Alo, no institutions have taken over the hospitals in Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet and Cumilla due to a shortage of manpower, furniture, medical equipment, budget allocation, and other logistical support. These unused structures are now falling into disrepair, and incidents of theft have also been reported in several buildings. We must ask: why were these facilities built without a proper operational plan in the first place? If they cannot be used when they are needed the most, what purpose would they serve?

Meanwhile, in Rajshahi, the 200-bed children’s hospital—completed years ago—has remained unused, when a shortage of ICU facilities has created severe pressure on healthcare services in the region, leading to many child deaths. Similarly, the 100-bed children’s hospital in Rangpur remained unutilised for six years after completion and inauguration. This reflects a systemic failure in planning, coordination and accountability.

Earlier this year, this daily reported that 80 government health facilities across 18 districts, including four children’s hospitals, have remained non-operational for years, further exposing deep weaknesses in our healthcare governance. Moreover, even the operational facilities are burdened by shortages of doctors, nurses and essential staff, leaving them unable to provide adequate services.

We urge the health authorities to urgently resolve the administrative and bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure adequate staffing and budget allocation so that these hospitals can become fully operational. The government must also formulate a policy ensuring that no healthcare infrastructure project proceeds without a fully approved operational plan, including staffing, budgeting and management frameworks. Greater coordination between the health ministry, Directorate General of Health Services and other relevant agencies is essential to prevent such waste of public funds in the future. The present government must take lessons from the measles outbreak this year and prioritise strengthening child healthcare services across the country.