Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital is a leading healthcare facility in the Sylhet Division. The hospital is known for providing affordable services, including cardiac angiograms, kidney dialysis, and radiotherapy for cancer patients. Despite its 900-bed capacity, the hospital often sees 2,000 to 2,500 inpatients daily. However, since the public uprising on August 5, the hospital’s operations have been significantly affected. Many doctors and staff have gone into hiding, while others avoid work due to security concerns, disrupting the hospital’s ability to provide care.
Hospital officials acknowledge the staff shortages but maintain that doctors continue to provide regular services despite the increased patient load. However, administrative complications and limited personnel have caused delays in ward management and overall operations. The college’s academic activities have also not returned to normal.
Hospital Deputy Director Dr. Soumitra Chakraborty admitted that they are gradually trying to recover from the crisis. Speaking to Bonik Barta, he said, “Since August 5, we’ve faced some challenges. At one point, we had 100 Ansar members stationed at the hospital, but as of last week, only 67 remain. While doctors’ services have faced some disruptions, outsourced workers are still on duty.”
A visit to the hospital revealed ongoing development projects across multiple buildings, with piles of bricks, stones, and sand scattered around. The hospital premises have essentially turned into a parking lot, with over a hundred ambulances and private vehicles regularly parked. Brokers are also a notable presence.
An ambulance driver, Sajibul Islam, mistook this reporter for a patient’s relative and asked, “Where do you need to go?” During the conversation, Sajib explained that they used to park outside the hospital, but after the events of August 5, he, along with others, started parking inside the hospital premises.
Meanwhile, a patient’s relative, Shahed Ahmed, was seen leaving the hospital to take his patient to an outside diagnostic center. As soon as he stepped out, brokers surrounded him and started pulling him in different directions. Frustrated, Shahed remarked, “It feels like there is no administration here.”
The condition of various hospital wards is equally dire. Patients lie on the floors, surrounded by filth. Aklima Begum, attending to patient Aftab Ali in the Eye, Nose, and Throat Ward, said, “Doctors only come once a day, and sometimes not at all. Even when we call the nurses, they don’t show up. In these conditions, patients are only getting sicker instead of getting better.”
Long-standing piles of garbage have accumulated outside the Orthopedic Ward, while patients’ and relatives’ clothes are seen drying on stairways. The hospital has also become a haven for street vendors. In response, local civil society representatives have urged the hospital to restore proper medical services immediately.
Ikramul Kabir, President of Sylhet Press Club, said, “MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital is the primary healthcare provider for millions in Sylhet Division. It’s urgent to restore a proper environment for medical treatment there. We need to appoint doctors, hire more staff, increase the supply of medicines and equipment, and reinforce security by bringing in more Ansar members. Additionally, a local vigilance team should be formed to improve campus law and order, control the movement of outsiders, and eliminate illegal parking lots. Unless these issues are addressed, the hospital will lose its reputation.”
Around 6,500 people receive services from Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital daily. Of these, 4,000 to 4,500 are treated in the outpatient department. People come to this hospital for both common and complex medical issues.
Dr. Shishir Ranjan Chakraborty, Principal of MAG Osmani Medical College, told Bonik Barta, “There are some obstacles in administrative activities, but the hospital is functioning as usual. Due to these hurdles, two faculty members—Vice Principal Dr. Mujibul Haque and Professor Dr. Nasrin Akhter, Head of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department—cannot enter the college. They want to return, but the environment isn’t conducive yet. I hope the situation will normalize soon.”
Following the student uprising on August 5, the former director transferred several doctors based on local demands. When asked about this, Deputy Director Dr. Soumitra Chakraborty said, “A total of 11 doctors have been transferred to Sylhet Shahid Shamsuddin Ahmed District Hospital and Sylhet Infectious Disease Hospital, which are both under Osmani Hospital’s control.” He added that restoring orders in the hospital would take some time.