12 years on, health centre remains largely closed in Lakshmipur

The Kushakhali Union Health and Family Welfare Centre in Lakshmipur's Chandraganj upazila has remained largely closed for nearly 12 years, leaving the facility overgrown with vegetation and infested with snakes and insects.
Located at Shantirhat Bazar in Kushakhali union, the health centre was built to provide primary healthcare to local residents. However, prolonged neglect and lack of maintenance have left the building in a dilapidated condition, with cracks appearing in several places and walls and plaster falling off. The overgrown surroundings have also become a breeding ground for snakes and insects, raising safety concerns among locals.
Residents said they have long been deprived of regular medical services and medicines from the centre. With no regular doctors or nurses, patients often have to travel to Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital or hospitals in neighbouring Noakhali district, causing additional expense and hardship, particularly for emergency patients. The centre's main gate has remained locked for years, locals said. Although a medical officer now visits the facility once a week, they said the service is inadequate to meet local demand.

Local resident Tofail Ahmed said, “There are no regular doctors, nurses or medicines here. A doctor now comes once a week, but many women and other patients need regular treatment. We urge the authorities to renovate the centre or construct a new building and resume full services.”
In this regard, Nazmul Hasan, deputy director of the Lakshmipur Family Planning Department, said many health centres built in the 1980s were now in poor condition. “A medical officer has been posted at the centre and is providing services. A nurse will join soon, and medicines will also be supplied,” he said.
He said the authorities have plans to construct new buildings at eight health centres in Lakshmipur, including a three-storey building at the Kushakhali Union Health and Family Welfare Centre.

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