Non-operational after two years of construction

The Sheikh Hasina Trauma Centre in Sirajganj remains non-operational after almost two years of the completion of infrastructure construction.

Along with not appointing manpower, the necessary types of equipment have not been installed in the hospital. Accident victims are deprived of necessary medical care as the death rate increases.

Related sources could not give any information on when the hospital will become operational. The Sheikh Hasina Trauma Centre, built at a cost of about Tk 11 crore, is left neglected.

According to related sources, the western highway of Bangabandhu Bridge in Sirajganj is always prone to accidents.

The construction of the Sheikh Hasina Trauma Centre started on a 1.5 bigha area in Mulibari, adjacent to the highway of Syedabad union of Sirajganj Sadar upazila in 2018, to ensure quick and emergency services to those injured in road accidents.

Sirajganj Health Engineering Department (HED) implemented it at an estimated cost of Tk 10,79,34,000. After the completion of the construction on November 1, 2020, the contractor handed over the Sheikh Hasina Trauma Centre to the HED.

Syedabad union parishad Chairman Nabidul Islam said the construction of the Sheikh Hasina Trauma Centre is a good initiative of the current government.

“Road accidents are a common occurrence on this highway. Many victims die of blood loss on the way to the nearby hospital which is 10km away from the highway,” he said.

He added that the number of survivors will increase if the trauma centre becomes operational.

He expects the related officials will take measures soon to install equipment and hire manpower and start operating the hospital soon.

The owner of the contractor ME-AB-JV, Robiul Islam, said it has been almost two years since the building was handed over to the parties concerned. “But since it is not operational, the trauma centre has to be guarded by two of my men. This is costing me extra money,” he said.

Deputy Assistant Engineer of Sirajganj HED Al Momen said the health department was informed about two years ago after the construction of the building was completed.

But since the trauma centre is not operational, contractors have been requested to guard the building infrastructure.

“The contractors guarding the building said that they can no longer cover the extra expense. We do not know when the health department will open the trauma centre. This has become an additional burden for us,” he said.

Civil surgeon Dr Rampad Roy said there is no chance to open the Sheikh Hasina Trauma Centre by installing equipment and hiring manpower in near future.

“The government and the departments concerned are looking into the matter seriously. In the meantime, efforts are being made to bring the trauma centre under the special scheme,” he said.

However, he could not confirm the exact date when the hospital might open for the public due to complications in the hiring process.

The public representative of the locality demanded that the trauma centre be opened quickly by installing equipment and recruiting manpower for the benefit of the general public.