Construction works for proposed asthma centre and diabetic hospital in Bogra could not start two years after issuance of the work orders as the Ministry of Health is yet to hand over the land to Public-Works Department (PWD).

Following health ministry’s allocation of Tk 15.07 crore for construction of the two 100-bed hospitals in Nisindara and Banani areas, the PWD Bogra Division issued work orders in 2007.

But the ministry is yet to hand over the land for the purpose or allow start of the construction works, said PWD Bogra Division Executive Engineer Md Zoynul Abedin and Bogra Civil Surgeon Dr Nurun Nahar.

Due to non-utilisation of fund the PWD has already refunded Tk 1.10 crore, Abedin said.

PWD Bogra Division invited tender for the construction work of 100-bed asthma centre under the Ministry of Health on the premises of chest diseases hospital at Nisindara of Bogra town in December 2006.

The authority issued a Tk 11.07 crore work order in March 2007 in favour of joint venture construction firm Toma Construction Company Ltd and Kabir TYaders to start the work but the ministry is yet to hand over the land or allow starting the construction.

Meanwhile, the contractor has submitted letters claiming Tk 18 lakh as compensation.

“To ensure proper treatment of asthma patients in Bogra and a few other northern districts the health ministry took an initiative to estab-

lish the hospital under Health Nutrition Population Sector Programme but the work is yet to start," said Bogra Civil Surgeon Dr Nurun Nahar.

The PWD invited-another tender to build a multi-storied building for 100-bed diabetic hospital on the premises of Electro-medical Workshop at Banani of Shahjahanpur upazila, adjacent to Bogra town and issued a Tk 4.01 crore work order on October 9 2007 in favour of MKS Joint Venture Construction Associates. Now the contractor has submitted letters to the PWD authorities claiming Tk 26.33 lakh as compensation.

“During the last three years, we have sent several letters to the health ministry requesting approval of land handover to the PWD authority but we are yet to receive any reply,” said Abedin.

When contacted, health ministry Secretary Sheikh Altaf Ali said he does not know anything about the present situation regarding construction of the two proposed hospitals in Bogra.

Additional Secretary Abul Kalam Azad of the same department and Joint Chief Abdul Mannan also expressed their ignorance about the matter.

The projects approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) will be closed when the current fiscal year ends in next June and the total amount allocated for construction of the two hospitals will have to be refunded, PWD sources said.

At least 39,487 asthma patients had taken treatment from several health centres in Bogra district in 2007, says a survey report of Bogra Civil Surgeon's office.