- Dhaka’s air again turns ‘unhealthy’ Thursday morning |
- SC reinstates caretaker govt system in BD Constitution |
- Bangladesh can't progress sans women’s safety online & offline |
- U.S. trade deficit drops 24% in Aug as tariffs reduce imports |
Shock in Cumilla as health centre becomes warehouse
A government-run health facility in Cumilla’s Chandina upazila has allegedly been rented out and used as a private hardware warehouse, sparking concerns over misuse of public property and negligence by health staff.
Locals say the Mohichail Union Health and Family Welfare Centre has been partially occupied by a businessman with the consent of the health assistant in charge, who is accused of accepting money in exchange for permitting the illegal use of the premises.
A visit to the site revealed that the union sub-health centre comprises three buildings — one used for daily operations, another designated as residential quarters, and the third for the Family Planning Inspector’s office.
The residential building was found locked, while the inspector’s office had been converted into a hardware storage facility.
Initially, health assistant Saiful Islam insisted that the building had been declared abandoned and that relevant documents had been submitted.
When questioned further, he admitted that the space had been rented to a trader named Selim from Mahichail Bazar.
The alleged misuse has gone largely unchallenged, partly because the newly established Mohichail 20-bed Government Hospital — located just 200 metres away — now serves most of the area’s patients, rendering the old sub-centre largely unused.
A local businessman, requesting anonymity, expressed his anger, saying,“How can a government office be rented as a warehouse? Is no one monitoring these irregularities? We urge the administration to take strict action against such corruption.”
Trader Selim acknowledged using the building as a warehouse, stating that he is a person with disabilities.
“After journalists came and took photos, I removed all my goods,” he said.
Health assistant Saiful Islam attempted to justify his actions, claiming the unused building had turned into a gathering place for drug users at night.
“A disabled trader begged me to keep a few drums for a few days. He gave me Tk 6,000, which I used to build a gate to stop outsiders from entering after office hours. If this was wrong, the responsibility is mine,” he said.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Arifur Rahman said he had been unaware of the situation, reports UNB.
“After learning about the matter from journalists, I immediately ordered the building to be vacated and recommended departmental action against the health assistant,” he said.