5 tea workers die as hospital remains shut for 16 days in Kamalganj

The Camellia Duncan Foundation Hospital located in Shamshernagar Tea Garden area of ​​Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar district has been closed for 16 consecutive days, creating an extreme medical crisis. Locals allege that at least five tea workers have died so far due to lack of necessary treatment.

Local tea worker leader Sitaram Bean said that due to the closure of the hospital, some workers from Palkichhara, Kanihati and Alinagar tea gardens have died without receiving timely treatment. He demanded that the hospital be opened immediately and that all types of medical and surgical services should be resumed like in the past and that a proper investigation be conducted into the recent incident.

It is learnt that the situation deteriorated after the death of a 13-year-old girl named Oishi Ravidas on March 26. After being admitted to the hospital with a headache, her physical condition deteriorated and the doctors advised her to be taken to the district headquarters. But due to the reluctance of the family, she was kept in the hospital and died the next day. The agitated crowd attacked the hospital and harassed the doctors. This created insecurity and the doctors and staff left the hospital and the hospital's operations were completely shut down.

Established in the 1990s, this hospital was being used as the main medical center for tea workers and their families.

Local women workers said that this was their only hope. Since the hospital was closed, they are being deprived of complete medical services.

Meanwhile, uncertainty has also arisen about the activities of the 'Longla Camellia School' run under the same foundation. This is likely to have a serious impact on both the education and health of the children of tea worker families.

According to relevant sources, it is not possible to reopen the hospital without the instructions of the foundation's central office in the UK. Although it is known that the investigation into the incident has been completed, no final decision has been made yet regarding the resumption of services.

Kamalganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Asaduzzaman said that discussions are underway with the concerned parties on the matter and efforts are being made to open the hospital quickly.