Power outages have become a daily occurrence in the 50-bed health complex in Srimangal Upazila of Moulvibazar. Especially when the power goes out at night, the patients and their relatives suffer a lot. There are even cases of providing medical care by candlelight in the emergency department of the hospital.
This health complex is one of the main sources of medical care for more than three lakh people of Srimangal Upazila. But after the power goes out, the doctors, nurses and patients have to suffer as the generators and IPS are not working.
On Wednesday (August 26) at around 9 pm, Abu Mia of Madhyajamsi village of Ashidron union of the upazila was killed in a road accident and the fire service and highway police brought him to the hospital. While collecting information at this time, it is seen that the hospital's emergency department and medical officer's room are completely dark. Doctors and staff are performing their duty by lighting candles in both the rooms.
The doctor in charge of the emergency department. Ayesha Siddiqa said, "When the power goes out, we are left in darkness. When asked why the generator and IPS are not working, she said, "her superiors can tell about it."
Some of the patients who came for treatment at the hospital complained that although the AC is on in the health and family planning officer's room, there is no minimum electric fan for the patients in the balcony of the second floor admission ward. The hospital has IPS and generators but they are non-functional.
According to the investigation, there was an incident of theft of IPS batteries from inside the hospital earlier. It is alleged that an inquiry committee has been constituted in this incident but no visible action has been taken till now after the investigation.
The local residents expressed their anger and said that it is very disappointing that the only government hospital in the upazila does not have adequate lighting at night. If there is no electricity in an emergency, treatment by candlelight is also risky for the patient's safety.
Locals have demanded quick and effective action from the relevant authorities to improve the quality of medical care and improve the poor condition of the government hospital.