Azad Lakshmipur Correspondent: Healthcare is a fundamental human right. Yet, millions of individuals in three unions of Raipur Upazila, situated along the Meghna River, are denied this right. The char area lacks a hospital for its impoverished and vulnerable residents. There are no doctors available. Although a health center exists, it is frequently locked. A few pharmacies serve as the only source of hope for treating various ailments. Consequently, many patients often succumb to their conditions without receiving any medical attention.
According to the Raipur Upazila Health and Family Planning Office, there are 11 community clinics and 2 sub-centers across the three unions near the Meghna and Dakatia rivers. A request from the former District Civil Surgeon’s Office to the Health Ministry for a water ambulance to facilitate swift transportation for patients from the char regions remains unaddressed and is still sitting in the files.
On Thursday, it was observed that there are 11 community clinics serving the three unions adjacent to the Meghna River in Raipur. Although these clinics are expected to operate daily, there are claims that the needy and impoverished residents are not receiving the necessary services. Community health care providers Farzana, Hanufa, and Abdul Mannan, responsible for three wards of South Charbangshi Union, are often unavailable when needed. The same issue persists in the community clinics serving four wards in North Charbangshi UP.
In this context, CHCPs Farzana Akhter, Hanufa Akhter, and Abdur Rahman stated, “We have various responsibilities, including visiting government hospitals at different times. We should have posted a notice. We regret that the poor are facing difficulties. We will ensure that such mistakes do not happen again.”
Residents have expressed concerns that Abdur Rahman and Mohsin occasionally visit the community clinic, but most of the time, they are found at the pharmacy. All CHCPs, including female staff, come and go from the clinic at their convenience.
In front of the Miyarhat Bazar, as well as at Chandarkal and Hajimara Swiss Gate, numerous engine-powered boats are visible. Inside these boats, several patients are present, yet there is no seating available for their relatives. They faced significant challenges traveling 15 kilometers to Raipur and Sadar Hospitals for medical care.
Residents express frustration that, despite years of requests to relevant government departments for a water ambulance through MPs, upazila chairmen, and UNOs, no progress has been made. Individuals from the char areas navigate the river using trawlers at Miarhat, Altaf Master’s Kheaghat, Hajimara, Panirghat, Chandarkhal, and Saju Molla Ghat in Haidarganj. If you need to contact the boatmen at the ghat during the night for medical emergencies, they will assist you in crossing.
Upon visiting the three unions, it becomes evident that many women in Meghna Char are unaware of birth control methods. They lack essential knowledge regarding the dos and don’ts during pregnancy. The women’s understanding of health is primarily based on generational teachings from their grandmothers. The only source of medical assistance for various ailments is the local pharmacies. When illness strikes, individuals must traverse difficult paths and cross the perilous Meghna River in a canoe. Some tragically lose their lives in the river due to delays. Furthermore, canoe crossings are prohibited after 6 pm.
Local Chan Mia stated, “One of my relatives has been ill for six months. Our char area lacks a hospital or doctor. To take him anywhere, we must travel a considerable distance from our char area. Even when we opt for river transport, boats are often unavailable on time. Many accidents happen because we cannot reach in time. We need to take a rickshaw for 3 kilometers from the Hajimara Swissgate area to the Charlakshi Clinic. If there were a clinic or hospital in our char area, and if a doctor were available, it would greatly benefit us.”
Dr. Mahir Hossain, the disease controller at Raipur Upazila Health Complex, remarked, “The three unions of Raipur Upazila (North Charbangshi, South Charbangshi, and South Char Ababil) encompass a large char area of Meghna. There are 11 community clinics and two sub-centers located in Khaserhat Bazar and Haidarganj Bazar. One sub-center has unfortunately been lost to the riverbed. A water ambulance is critically needed for the residents of the char area. Two years ago, former Deputy Commissioner Zillur Rahman and District Family Planning Officer Dr. Ashfaqur Rahman Mamunur Rashid proposed an ambulance to the ministry. We communicated this issue to the higher authorities through a letter.
Raipur Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Imran Khan mentioned, “We have brought the healthcare issue for the char area residents across the Meghna to the attention of the law and order committee meeting and the relevant department. We will make efforts to provide a water ambulance. We will also investigate the situation regarding the Union Community Clinic. If anyone is neglecting their responsibilities, appropriate action will be taken against them.”
