Kuakata hospital now has all but docs and staff
Constructed over six months ago, the 20-bed Kuakata hospital is yet to provide medical services for lack of required manpower including doctors and nurses.Photo: STAR
Over six months into construction, a 20-bed hospital at Kuakata cannot provide medical services as the authorities are yet to arrange required manpower including doctors and nurses. Health department constructed the hospital at a cost of Tk 4.60 crore on three acres of land at the scenic spot to ensure health service for tourists and local people. Started in February 2007, construction of the hospital was completed in the first week of January this year although cyclones Sidr and Aila hampered the task twice. The construction firm handed over the hospital to health department on January 15. Necessary instruments were also supplied for the hospital but it is yet to start functioning due to lack of manpower. "Patients have to go to 22 km away Kalapara upazila heath complex, sometimes Patuakhali General Hospital, which is over 72 km from the area. It would be a great relief for the locals as well as tourists if Kuakata hospital started medical services," said Nasir Uddin, a local journalist. "We would like to draw attention of the prime minister and the health and family planning minister to take necessary steps for starting the hospital as soon as possible because thousands of tourists from home and abroad visit the area to enjoy natural beauty," said Abdul Bareq Mollah, chairman of Latachaplee union parishad. "We sent several letters to the higher authorities concerned demanding immediate steps including arrangement of manpower to run the hospital," said Patuakhali Civil Surgeon Shah Alam Sharif. Local lawmaker Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, also the state minister for water resources, said, "Appointment of necessary manpower including doctors and nurses is under process. We are trying our best to run the hospital very soon."
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