Health complex used as police camp
People in Dhalarchar of Pabna denied medical service for 3 years
This health complex in remote Dhalarchar union in Bera upazila of Pabna district has been used as a 'temporary' police camp for the last three years, depriving locals of health services. Photo: STAR
People of remote Dhalarchar union in the Jamuna basin in Bera upazila under Pabna district are deprived of healthcare facilities as the union health and family planning complex has been used as a police camp for over three years. The two-storied health complex was built at Dhalarchar village spending Tk 26 lakh in 2003 to provide health and family planning service for 25 thousand people in the remote area. As health workers started providing service from the centre, it came to great help to local people, especially the women and the children. But only three years after the start of its functioning, a police camp was set up there. “The police sheltered in the health complex in 2006 saying that they would stay there for seven days. But they have continued occupying the complex still now. Health services to the shoal people are hampered as health and family planning workers have to do their jobs from residences of others,” Dr Ram Dulal Voumik, deputy director of district family planning office, said. Officials of district family planning office and the health department on several occasions urged the police administration and the district administration to free the complex for the health service but to no effect, he said. “We have recommended ensuring use of the building for health service because it was built for that purpose. The police camp should operate from a separate place,” said Additional District Magistrate Emam Uddin Kabir. "Around 15 policemen are staying at the temporary camp in the health complex building as there is no other alternative. Outlawed operatives from Pabna, Rajbari, Manikganj and nearby areas often take shelter in remote Dhalarchar area. There is no easy communication from Bera upazila Sadar to Dhalarchar. So a police camp is essential to maintain law and order there,” said Sub Inspector Abul Kalam Azad of Bera police station. “A police camp is essential for Dhalarchar. We are looking for a suitable place for a permanent police camp there,” said Pabna Superintendent of Police Jamil Ahmed.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments