Heaps of waste pile up in front of health centre

Traders from a local market have allegedly been dumping waste in front of Munshibazar Sub-Health Complex in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar.

Despite a signboard clearly prohibiting waste dumping on the health centre premises, the entrance along the busy Kamalganj–Moulvibazar road was found overwhelmed by heaps of garbage, causing annoyance among staff, patients, their attendants, and local residents.

"The environment here has become unbearable due to this menace," said Sadek Mia, a local resident.

Saddam Hosain, another resident, said the problem worsens during the monsoon, as waste spreads across the area after rain, heightening the risk of health hazards.

The situation has also affected classroom activities in a nearby primary school.

"The stench from the garbage piled up in front of the health centre makes it impossible for students to attend classes in a congenial atmosphere. Despite our repeated complaints, no action has been taken," said Aziz Ahmed, a teacher at the school.

Himel Chowdhury, president of the Munshibazar Traders Association, said traders have been discarding their waste on the roadside due to the absence of a designated dumping site.

Nahid Ahmed Tarafdar, chairman of Munshibazar Union Parishad, said the matter had been raised with the upazila law and order committee. "We are in talks with the UNO for a prompt solution," he said.

Mohammad Mahbubul Alam Bhuiyan, upazila health and family planning officer in Kamalganj, said they had already informed the market authorities and local officials about the need to remove the waste. "We will continue to follow up to ensure the issue is addressed," he said.

Contacted, Kamalganj UNO Makhon Chandra Sutradhar said, "This is a serious issue. We will engage with the relevant authorities and take necessary steps to resolve it."