30,000 people of Urirchar deprived of health service

Over 30,000 people of Urirchar under Companiganj upazila in Noakhali district are deprived of health services as there is not a single government hospital or any community clinic for years.

Recently in a visit to Urirchar this correspondent found a father standing with his sick son on the bank of a river. He walked 12 kilometers on foot to come there and was waiting for a trawler to cross another 5 kilometers to reach hospital at Basurhat of Companiganj upazila. This is a regular scenario of sufferings of healthcare seeking people in the area.

Local people said pregnant women frequently wait on the riverside for hours to reach the hospital 5 kilometer far from the area. On the other hand, boats are dependent on tidal wave.

Local Union Parisad Member Abul Kashem said, before 4 months wife of Alauddin of Charumed village -- Chabura Khatun (25) -- died on the riverside as she could not be taken to hospital in time. He added, only for not having a hospital or community clinic thousands of people have been suffering in this area.

Local sources said the people started to live in this island over 35 years back. Over 30,000 people of 4,000 families live there right now.  Urirchar is situated in the middle of Meghna and Bamonia river. There are only two pharmacies but with no trained doctor or any pharmacist. There is only one road in the whole char area.

The Asian Age Correspondent Sohrab Hossain Babar in a visit found, most of the roads are not in good condition in Urirchar. Local political leaders did some repair work of roads by their own finance.

Char Elahi Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Razzan said, this island alone is bigger than several unions. But it is separate from the main union. So the people suffer much in communication and health services in dire need. They alleged that they applied for several times to the authorities concerned to provide health services in this isolated island area to reduce their sufferings but got no response from them.

Local people said a community clinic is mandatory in Urirchar for reducing sufferings and death of pregnant women. They demanded medicine, doctor and medical equipments as well to save the lives of sick people. Companiganj Upazila Health Officer Dr Md Selim said the allegation is true. The people of remote Urirchar really suffer for not having proper health services.

Companiganj UNO Md Jamirul Islam said he has joined the upazila office only a few months back. He however claimed that he visited some remote areas of the upazila already. UNO Jamirul Islam also said the people of Urirchar are really deprived of health services. He added he will inform the higher authority to ensure basic needs of Urirchar dwellers.

Local people demanded quick steps to end their massive sufferings and reduce the unexpected deaths happen frequently when in need.

---Sohrab Hossain Babar, Companiganj (Noakhali)