Shayestaganj Upazila Health Complex not launched in 3 years

The proposed 50-bed Shayestaganj Upazila Health Complex was not launched in three years.

As a result, more than 1,50,000 people of the upazila are being given regular treatment by a doctor from the sub-health center of the upazila.

In a public meeting organized by Awami League at Habiganj Newfield on November 29, 2014, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared Shayestaganj as a upazila. Shayestaganj was approved as a upazila at a meeting of National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reorganization-Reform (NICAR) on 20 November 2017. Shayestaganj Upazila Parishad elections were held on 18 June in 2019.

It is unbelievable but true that there is only one doctor for more than 1,50,000 people in Shayestaganj, the 492nd upazila of the country. However, there is a municipality and three unions named Brahmandura, Nurpur and Shayestaganj in this upazila with an area of about 39sq km. It is also a busiest place in the district and people from different parts of the country come here.

If people become ill, they get primary treatment at the upazila sub-health center. If it is serious, they are to go to the district sadar hospital. As a result, people are to suffer a lot.

According to the investigation it is found that on 12 December in 2017, a total of 47 posts including doctors, nurses and staff were proposed for the 50-bed Shayestaganj Upazila Health Complex by the ministry. But it is not possible to run a 50-bed hospital with such number of manpower.

Therefore, Habiganj Civil Surgeon’s Office has already sent a written proposal to the ministry for creating 111 posts. Adequate land has not been acquired yet as a result it is not possible to construct the building of Upazila Health Complex. Due to this reason, the recruitment of manpower has also been stopped.