STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Several members of the parliament yesterday voiced concern over the deteriorating state of hospitals across the country, pointing to crumbling infrastructure, severe manpower shortages, and stalled development projects.

They urged the government to take urgent steps to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure adequate staffing.

Speaking during discussions under Section 71 of the Rules of Procedure, which empowers MPs to draw a minister’s attention to matters of urgent public importance and to move Private Members’ Resolution Proposals, lawmakers highlighted examples from their constituencies where hospitals remain in poor condition and patients are left without essential services.

Brahmanbaria-2 independent MP Rumeen Farhana termed the 50-bed hospital in Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila as being “like a patient” itself.

She noted that 64 posts remain vacant, including nine for physicians and consultants, six for nurses, two for medical technologists, 15 for field staff, eight for health assistants, and 19 for other staff.

She added that while a Tk 10 crore project was undertaken to construct a six-storey building, the contractor abandoned the work after August 5, 2024, leaving medical services confined to the old, dilapidated two-storey building.

The discussion arose from a proposal by Azharul Islam Mannan (Narayanganj-3) to establish a new 200-bed hospital in Siddhirganj.

Rumeen spoke while debating an amendment to that proposal. Several other MPs echoed similar concerns, demanding Health

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