22 years on, Paranganj 20-bed hospital still not fully functional

The Paranganj 20-bed hospital, built to serve the healthcare needs of over a million people in the remote char (riverine) areas of three upazilas in Mymensingh, has failed to fully function even after 22 years of its establishment. Due to a lack of a standard staffing structure and absence of necessary medical equipment, the hospital exists only in name. Local residents continue to suffer due to the unavailability of proper medical services.

Located in the Paranganj union of Mymensingh Sadar upazila, the hospital was intended to provide comprehensive healthcare, including services for pregnant women and normal deliveries, but none of these services are available. Though the hospital bears the name "20-bed," there is no actual capacity for such a number of patients. Currently, only the outpatient department (OPD) is operational, and even then, doctors only prescribe medications like paracetamol, saline, and gastric drugs. There are no other medicines available. The inpatient (indoor) department has been shut down, and despite having a well-built infrastructure, there is a severe shortage of medical staff.

Although the hospital is named "Paranganj 20-bed Hospital," it has not served the nearly 1 million people in the char areas of Mymensingh for 22 years. In fact, local people are beginning to forget its name due to the lack of basic healthcare services.

It is reported that the foundation stone for this hospital was laid on December 14, 2004, by Delwar Hossain Khan Dulu, BNP Member of Parliament for Mymensingh-4 (Sadar) at the time. The construction was completed with a cost of nearly 4 crore taka, and the hospital was officially opened on October 17, 2006. The facility was also designed with quarters for doctors and staff to provide round-the-clock services. However, due to the lack of personnel, the hospital began operating in 2007 during the emergency government period, without any staff appointments.

The plan was for doctors and staff to be deputed from the Mymensingh Sadar Health Department, but the doctors are rarely available at the hospital, and when they are, they do not provide adequate care.

As a result, residents have to travel nearly 25 kilometers to the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for proper treatment.

Despite being the primary healthcare facility for the people in the char areas of Ashtodhar, Bororchar, Charsirta or Paranganj, Char Ishwardia, as well as several unions in Fulpur and Tarakanda upazilas, the hospital has been unable to fulfill its purpose.

It is reported that two years ago, a woman named Begum, who was pregnant and in need of care, died while being transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital due to the lack of services at Paranganj Hospital.

Locals like Abul Hossain, Mia Ali (80), Alimuddin (70), Mohammad Minnat Ali, and small businessman Fazlur Ali have voiced their grievances, stating that the hospital had X-ray machines and other equipment at one point, but these are now unavailable.

One local businessman, Abdul Haque, expressed his frustration, saying, "There are no beds here. We no longer consider this a hospital. Doctors show up occasionally at 11 a.m. and leave by 1:30 p.m. The hospital is also closed on Fridays. We don't need such a hospital."

Dr. Nazrul Islam, Civil Surgeon of Mymensingh District, stated that although the building is well-constructed with funding from the Ministry of Health, there is no budget for medicines, beds, or food supplies. He added that doctors are present every day, and efforts are being made to provide at least basic medications to patients.

Dr. Shahjahan Kabir, Health and Family Planning Officer for Mymensingh Sadar upazila, said that the quarters for doctors and staff have been unused for so long that they are now uninhabitable. He mentioned that he had sent several reminders to the Health Engineering Department to repair and renovate the hospital's building and quarters, but funding has not been allocated for the repairs.

Dr. Kabir further explained that the hospital is located about 25 kilometers from Mymensingh city, in a remote char area. For the safety of doctors, nurses, and other staff working there, he emphasized the need for an Ansar camp to be established and sufficient Ansar personnel deployed for security.