The Sylhet Infectious Diseases Hospital was established in 1962 to treat infectious diseases such as diarrhoea, tetanus, measles, and rabies. However, the only specialised hospital in the division is struggling to function due to a shortage of doctors. With no security guards on duty, doctors, nurses, and patients face persistent safety concerns, while drug users reportedly gather around the premises after dusk.

Hospital insiders say patients from far-flung areas used to come to the hospital. Over time, the expansion of public and private hospitals in Sylhet city has pushed it out of public attention. However, sensitive infectious diseases are treated here. As treatment is provided free of cost, the hospital remains popular among low- and middle-income groups. In the Sylhet region, it is more commonly known as the “diarrhoea hospital,” although it treats a range of infectious diseases beyond diarrhoea.

According to hospital sources, the facility was built on 750 decimals of land in the Shahi Eidgah area of the city. Despite nearly six decades having passed since its establishment, the hospital has seen little development. A weak boundary wall fails to restrict unwarranted access by outsiders, leaving patients and staff at security risks. The hospital treats diarrhoea, tetanus, chickenpox, measles, whooping cough, mumps, rubella, rabies, and diphtheria, among other infectious diseases. In 2025, a total of 2,253 inpatients received treatment at the hospital, the majority of them with diarrhoea.

Kulsuma Begum from the Majortila area of Sylhet city was admitted to the hospital after contracting diarrhoea a few days ago. She recovered and returned home after a day.

Ali Hossain, a resident of South Surma, said his elder brother had been infected with tetanus. “We’re terrified after the diagnosis. After nearly a month of treatment, he has largely recovered,” he said.

A visit to the hospital revealed patients drying clothes beside the main gate. Due to the inadequate boundary wall, cows, goats, and dogs roam freely across the compound. The entire area appears largely unsecured, while plaster has peeled off in various parts of the ageing building.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a hospital employee said drug users have become the most pressing problem. “As soon as evening falls, they enter the hospital premises to take drugs. We are too afraid to say anything to them. Nurses and staff on night duty feel unsafe,” the employee said.

The hospital is also grappling with a shortage of doctors. Of the 21 sanctioned posts at the 20-bed facility, many remain vacant. At present, only one medical officer and one junior consultant are on duty. Although records show five doctors posted to the hospital, in reality, services are being provided by just these two physicians. Of the six sanctioned nursing posts, five are filled, while the remaining doctors and nurses have been attached to Osmani Medical College Hospital.

Medical Officer Dr Komoljit Rajkumar told Bonik Barta, “The hospital is critically important for the Sylhet division. Some antidote vaccines available here aren’t found anywhere else in the division. About 99 percent of medicines are supplied to patients free of cost. Diarrhoea patients usually come and go, but others require inpatient care and long-term treatment,” he said.

He added, “Although five doctors are shown on paper, that isn’t the reality. Along with one junior consultant, I’m somehow continuing services. At least one more doctor needs to be appointed. The absence of security personnel also poses serious risks.”