Mongla (Bagerhat) May 10 (V7N) -  People from all walks of life in Mongla Upazila organized a human chain at the municipal market square on Saturday at 11 am, demanding the upgrade of the Mongla Upazila Health Complex, the sole government hospital in the upazila, from its current 50-bed capacity to 100 beds.

The rally during the human chain was presided over by Upazila Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Md. Shahin Hossain. Assistant Attorney General Mohammad Moniruzzaman attended as the chief guest and addressed the gathering. Other speakers included Jamaat's municipal Ameer M.A. Bari, municipal BNP member secretary Mahbubur Rahman Manik, municipal BNP senior joint convener Emran Hossain, Mongla Press Club president Ahsan Habib Hasan, former upazila vice chairman and convener of Mongla Civil Society Md. Nur Alam Sheikh, principal Abu Said Khan, principal Md. Selim, prominent businessman Nasir Talukder, Jamaat leader Md. Anichur Rahman, former student leader Mainuddin, cultural organizer Jane Alam Babu, former Chhatra Dal leader Shariful Islam Mithu, Service Bangladesh president Mostafizur Rahman, and anti-discrimination student movement leader Mehedi Hasan Shuvo.

In his address, Chief Guest Mohammad Moniruzzaman emphasized Mongla's significance as a port city, an industrial hub, a tourist destination, and a first-class migration-friendly municipality vulnerable to climate change in the coastal region. He pointed out that people from various neighboring upazilas like Rampal, Dakop, Morelganj, and Sharankhola rely on the Mongla Upazila Hospital for medical services. Given the increased patient load, the existing 50-bed capacity is insufficient. Therefore, he urged the Ministry of Health to upgrade the health complex to 100 beds.

Md. Nur Alam Sheikh, convener of Mongla Civil Society, stressed the government's responsibility to ensure healthcare for all. He highlighted Mongla city's population surge due to the influx of people from surrounding areas seeking employment and the pressure from adjacent upazilas. Upgrading the Upazila Health Complex to 100 beds is a pressing need to provide healthcare to everyone, including the elderly.

In his presidential address, Upazila Health Officer Dr. Md. Shaheen Hossain questioned the sustainability of the hospital's operations with only 5 doctors against a sanctioned strength of 28. He deemed the demand for a 100-bed upgrade as justified and appealed to the relevant authorities to approve it. He also raised concerns about the dilapidated condition of the hospital building, stating that the old structure could collapse at any time, and demanded the construction of a new hospital building.

Speakers at the human chain and rally also strongly advocated for the urgent appointment of gynecologists and anesthesia specialists to ensure uninterrupted services at the Mongla Upazila Health Complex. Following the human chain, a public signature campaign was initiated to further press the demand for the hospital's upgrade from 50 to 100 beds.

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