Sirajul Islam Shishir:

Sheikh Hasina Trauma Centre, which construction was completed about four years ago during the Awami League regime at a cost of Tk 11 crore, is facing uncertainty over starting of operation due to political dilemma.

Though, the authorities concerned blamed the bureaucratic complexity behind the delay starting of operation, locals seem political transition is now the main obstacle over determining the fate of the institution. Besides, the institution has been named after Sheikh Hasina that causes another irony for the new rulers.

“I have no idea about the fate of this institution. We however, have written to the high-ups seeking approval to recruit necessary manpower and procure equipments. After getting the nod from high-ups, we will be able to move forwards. Otherwise, we have nothing to do right now,” said Nurul Amin, Civil Surgeon in Sirajganj.

While asking about the name of the institution after Sheikh Hasina, he declined to make any comment in this regard.

Sources said, the link road located on the western side of Bangabandhu Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge is considered as highly accident prone area as thousands of transports from both the Dhaka and northern region ply throughout the route regularly. Due to frequent road accidents, many people claim their lives, while many lead crippling life receiving critical injuries.

Taking the matter in cognizance, the then government undertook a project involving at around Tk 10.80 crore to install a trauma centre on around 1.5 bighas of land at Mulibari area under Sayedabad union of Sirajganj Sadar upazila in 2018.

The project was implemented by Health Engineering Department in Sirajganj and after completion of the construction by 2021, the construction firm and Health Engineering Department handed the institution to the authorities of Civil Surgeon office in Sirajganj.

But unfortunately, the institution could not start its service even after passing four years of construction due to manifold complexities.

As a result, the trauma centre self has been turned into traumatic patient. Its need hospitality as soon as possible as the institution is now under threat of damage due to lack of care and maintenance.

Meanwhile, most of the infrastructures of the institution are being damaged by the locals. Equipments of the building are being stolen. Not only that, the vacant building has turned into a safe den for the drug takers and peddlers. Various types of criminal offenses are being conducted there due to lack of security and care for. As a result, accident victims are being deprived of services even after wasting of government money at around Tk 11 crore.

Experts said, if the trauma centre fails to go on operation shortly, the government money amount of Tk 11 crore will go into water.

Bus driver Nurul Islam told The Daily Sky that, “Most of the points on the highway from the Western side of Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge to Hatikumrul intersection are considered as accident prone area. Commuters of the both regions, who become victims of accidents, need first aid or even full treatment. But, they are not getting health service from the hospital; even it was built at a cost of Tk 11 crore.

Sirajganj Shwartha Rakhsma Sangram Committee, District BNP and Anti-discrimination student movement activists urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to start the operation of this trauma centre as early as possible by changing its name from Sheikh Hasina.