The construction work of Rajshahi Children’s Hospital has been completed after 7 long years due to various complications. Then another 9 months have passed. However, this specialized hospital, which is much expected by the people of Rajshahi region, is not being started. Stuck in the tangle of administrative complications, the news of the opening of the hospital!
According to the information of the concerned department, the construction of the four-storied building of the Children’s Hospital in the area adjacent to Baharampur TBpukur in Rajshahi city started in May 2015. The hospital, which started with an estimated cost of 13 crores, was completed at a cost of 34 crores. The contractor completed the construction work at the end of 2022 with several periods and cost increases. The hospital was also inaugurated on January 29. But to whom and how the responsibility will be given remains to be answered.
No one understands the hospital
According to the Public Works Department, the hospital has a 14-bed general observation unit on the first floor. There are two rooms for X-ray and one each for CT scan and MRI. There are eight rooms as stores. There is a parking facility for 20 cars together on the ground floor. The second floor has one minor OT and four specialized OTs. Apart from this, 10 bedded Pre and Post OT and 56 bedded Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 18 rooms have been made for doctors on the third floor. The fourth floor has 96 beds general ward and 18 paid beds. Apart from this, there are two high-quality lifts for the movement of patients. Even if the work is completed, the public works department is waiting for instructions regarding which department the hospital will be handed over to.
The Divisional Health Director hopes that complications will end soon
Rabiul Islam Khan, sub-divisional engineer of Rajshahi Public Works Division-2, who is in charge of hospital construction supervision, said, ‘After the completion of the construction work, the paint applied in the first phase came off, so I did it again a month ago. But no one understands the hospital. There is also no direction as to whether Ramek Hospital, the Civil Surgeon’s Office, the Divisional Health Department, or anyone else will take over the hospital.’
In this regard, Rajshahi Divisional Health Director Anwarul Kabir said, ‘We know that the work of the hospital has been completed. This issue is also coming up in the media. This has been reported to the Health Department. I hope that the instructions will come very soon.’
