Noakhali Correspondent: Residents of Hatiya, an island upazila in Noakhali, have organized a protest march and sit-in to demand healthcare services.

The event took place under the banner of Sammilit Samajik Sangathan from 11 am to 12 noon on Tuesday (September 2). This hour-long demonstration led to the closure of the Civil Surgeon’s Office.

During the protest, participants chanted various slogans calling for an end to the severe suffering of patients caused by the lack of doctors, nurses, beds, and equipment in the hospital.

Several organizations, including the Hatia Student Forum, Chhatra Kalyan Parishad, Hatia Samity-Noakhali, and Hatia Forum-Greater Noakhali, showed their support for the initiative.

At the event, Shah Mizanul Haque Mamun stated, “Hatia is an isolated island. Over seven lakh residents have been deprived of healthcare for a long time. While everything else in the country has progressed, the situation for the residents of Hatia Island remains unchanged. The Upazila Health Complex lacks sufficient doctors and nurses. In the emergency ward, gardeners and sweepers are providing medical assistance. The authorities have never addressed these issues.”

Advocate Noman Siddique remarked, “The lives of our island’s residents are undervalued. There are no facilities for emergency surgeries or treatment of complex cases for this population of seven lakh. Many pregnant women have died en route to Noakhali during childbirth. Most days, there are no doctors available here. Even those who are employed are often absent from the hospital. We seek a solution to this problem.”

In response, Noakhali Civil Surgeon Dr. Mariam Simi stated, “We have repeatedly communicated with higher authorities regarding the shortage of doctors and staff at Hatia Upazila Health Complex. Today, our officials engaged with those participating in the sit-in. We are working to relay their demands to the higher authorities.”