Barguna, Aug 17 (V7N) – Over the past three months, 40 people have died from dengue fever in the coastal district of Barguna, highlighting the alarming state of healthcare in the region. Locals report that even mildly ill patients are often referred to facilities outside the district due to inadequate medical infrastructure.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Barguna Union of Journalists organized a human chain and protest rally on Sunday morning, demanding immediate government action to strengthen healthcare services in the district. The demonstration took place at the Barguna General Hospital premises and was followed by the submission of a memorandum to the Health Advisor via the Deputy Commissioner.

Key demands include upgrading the 250-bed Barguna General Hospital to a 500-bed facility, establishing a government medical college, installing an ICU unit, and addressing the severe shortage of doctors and nurses. Protesters stressed that with a population of over 1.2 million across the coastal region, access to quality healthcare is a constitutional right that must be upheld.

The event was attended by representatives from several civil society organizations, including the Health Rights Forum, Amader Jonno Amra, Dharitri Rokkhae Amra (DHORA), Dhrubatara Youth Development Foundation, Zerin Smriti Care, Manobik Barguna, and the Bangladesh Press Club’s Barguna chapter.

Presided over by Harun-or-Rashid Rinku, President of the Barguna Journalist Union, the protest featured speeches from a wide range of political, professional, and civil society figures. Among them were Dr. Rezwanur Alam, Superintendent of Barguna General Hospital; former BNP district president Nazrul Islam Molla; Advocate Rezbul Kabir and Humayun Hasan Shahin, former BNP organizers; Jamaat-e-Islami district chief Mohibullah Harun; Hasanur Rahman Jhantu of the Health Rights Forum; Abul Kalam from the Patient Welfare Association; Islamic Andolon leader Md. Nurul Alam; and journalist leaders Golam Haider Swapan and Mushfiq Arif.

Additional speakers included local BNP leaders, labor rights activists, and representatives from Islami Chatra Shibir. Many of them warned that if the authorities fail to address the crisis, the community will resort to tougher measures, including strikes and large-scale protests.

With the dengue death toll rising and medical referrals becoming routine due to resource shortages, the demands for systemic reform are gaining urgency. Protesters emphasized that without significant investment in Barguna’s healthcare system, the district's residents will continue to face preventable deaths and long-term public health risks.

END/MRR/SMA/