A number of government trauma centers built to provide emergency care for accident victims remain non-operational years after their inauguration, raising concerns over public safety.
One recent incident in Karnapara, Dasar Upazila, Madaripur, saw a head-on truck collision leave one dead and four injured. The victims were rushed to Madaripur District Hospital instead of the Elias Ahmed Chowdhury Trauma Center in Shibchar, which has remained unused for four years despite being built at a cost of 120 million taka.
Of the 18 trauma centers constructed nationwide at a total cost of 1.4 billion taka, 12 remain inactive, with equipment and furniture being damaged or stolen. Districts affected include Bogura, Sirajganj, Kishoreganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Munshiganj, Savar, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Sunamganj, and Habiganj.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhith told Bangladesh Pratidin, “Due to corruption and irregularities during the previous government, we could not start the trauma centers. People have been deprived of services. We will discuss with the ministry and take measures to start the trauma centers on a priority basis.”
A total of 14 doctors including seven consultant doctors, three orthopedic surgeons, two anesthetists and 34 posts were proposed to be created in each trauma center. But no center has been appointed according to the post.
In most cases, equipment has not been provided. The hospital that was supposed to be the last hope for saving the lives of the injured in the accident has turned into a den of drug addicts.
Relatives have to rush to Dhaka with seriously injured patients to save their lives. When patients injured in road accidents are taken to upazila hospitals, they are referred after receiving primary treatment. If the condition is serious or if ICU is required, services are not available even in district hospitals. Patients die on the way to specialized hospitals.
Regarding the trauma center itself, Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, Head of the Department of Pathology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, said, “A 2023 survey by the Heart Foundation and CIPRB shows that road crash patients come to the emergency department in the country's primary healthcare centers for treatment. The type of services required for accidents are completely inadequate in such health centers.”
“On top of that, only the structure of such trauma centers stands. Instead of building a new trauma hospital structure, emergency services should be provided in upazila-district level hospitals. We do not have the kind of system that is required to provide emergency services in our country,” he said.
He also said, “Hospitals need operation theaters, doctors, and nurses to ensure emergency services. There is a fear of increasing the number of casualties and complications due to the loss of time in reaching the specialized hospital.”
“Apart from this, there is no “Good Samaritan Law” in our legal framework to ensure treatment of patients after road crashes. If this law is in place, the person helping the victims after a road crash will not have to face any kind of harassment or interrogation. Apart from this, a legal framework is needed where no hospital will turn away the patient due to lack of money in case of emergency services,” Dr. Sohel Reza added.
Abdus Samad Sayem from Sirajganj said that a trauma center has been built in Mulibari on the west side of the Jamuna Bridge next to the highway. Due to lack of necessary manpower and equipment including doctors, the trauma center has not been operational even after five long years. The infrastructure has been damaged due to collapse and the building’s goods are being stolen.
Amirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Jamuna Setu West Police Station, said that people often break their arms and legs in accidents on the highway, get seriously injured. Many even die on the way to the hospital.
Sirajganj Civil Surgeon Dr. Nurul Amin said, “The necessary requirements for manpower and medicines have been sent to the ministry to start the institution. Even after having security guards, valuable equipment cannot be protected.”
Zakaria Chowdhury from Habiganj said that the Bahubal Trauma Center has not been opened even after a decade of construction. As a result, those injured in accidents on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway have to go to Sylhet or Dhaka.
Saifuddin Ahmed Lenin from Kishoreganj said that the trauma center built in Bhairab has not been opened even after six years. Furniture and equipment are being damaged carelessly.
Bhairab Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sumon Kumar Chowdhury said that small and big accidents happen every day somewhere. In most cases, the injured have to be sent to Dhaka.
Belal Rizvi from Madaripur said that drug addicts have stolen valuable items including the AC of the trauma center.
Madaripur Civil Surgeon Dr. Shariful Abedin Kamal said, “The demand for the necessary manpower to start the hospital has been sent to the higher authorities.”
Abu Sayeed Sourav from Munshiganj said that the 20-bed trauma center built in 2018 in Sholaghar of Srinagar upazila of Munshiganj has not been started even after eight years. The building built at a cost of 2.29 crore taka is now abandoned, a hangout for drug addicts. Accidents happen regularly on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway. Patients injured in accidents have to be taken to various hospitals in Dhaka.
Abdur Rahman Tulu from Bogura said that although the trauma center building was constructed in the Sherpur Upazila Health Complex, no medical services have been provided there for a long time.
Sherpur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Amirul Islam said that the trauma center building has been constructed. However, no manpower, necessary furniture and medical equipment have been provided there yet.
Md. Nasir Uddin from Tangail said that although a state-of-the-art trauma center was constructed in Tangail in 2011, it is lying idle due to lack of manpower and medical equipment. Work is being done by other departments of the hospital at the only trauma center in the district.
Roknuzzaman Parvez from Shariatpur said that the only trauma center in Jajira Upazila has not been gazetted or approved by the government for a long time. As a result, people are not getting the desired medical services due to the lack of necessary manpower and posts.
Masum Helal from Sunamganj said that even though two years have passed since the inauguration of the trauma center in Sunamganj, the service program has not started yet.
District Civil Surgeon Jasim Uddin said, “We have sent a letter to the ministry for approval of the necessary manpower.”
Nazmul Huda from Savar said that the trauma center in Dhamrai, Dhaka has not been started even after a year of construction.
Dr. Ahmedul Haque Titas, resident physician of Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex, said, “We have sent a letter.”
Asaduzzaman Sumon from Bhaluka, Mymensingh said that the trauma center has not been started in Bhaluka even after 19 years, expensive equipment is being damaged.
Kabul Uddin Khan from Manikganj said that healthcare services are being disrupted at the trauma center due to lack of manpower.
Civil Surgeon Ivy Ferdous said that the Shivaloy complex was connected to the trauma center when it was upgraded to 50 beds. The services are being disrupted due to the four vacant posts.
Aminul Hasan Shaheen from Gopalganj said that even after six and a half years, the trauma center has not been fully operational. The outpatient department has been kept operational somehow.
Mohiuddin Molla from Cumilla said that the Shahidnagar Trauma Center in Daudkandi has not been fully operational even in two decades. Some limited services are being provided on the ground floor of the three-story building, including the emergency department and rooms for doctors and nurses.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
