Floodwaters have inundated the ground floors of hospitals in Feni, severely disrupting health services in the area. Despite desperate efforts by patients’ families to secure care by visiting one hospital after another, they have been unable to receive adequate treatment. In response to the situation, the district administration and health department have declared seven hospitals in the city as dedicated facilities, staffed by government doctors and providing care at government rates.

Yesterday (Saturday, August 24), a 250-bed hospital in Feni remained without electricity. Patients did not receive meals or medical supplies, and there was no water for bathrooms or cleaning. The generator was rendered inoperable after water flooded the generator room. Only two doctors and two nurses were available to provide basic emergency care at the district’s largest healthcare facility. Similar conditions were reported at the upazila health complexes and other service facilities.

Upon visiting the district hospital yesterday (Saturday, August 24), it was observed that the entrance was submerged under a foot of water. Inside, multiple staff members and volunteers from various parts of the country were seen. They reported that on Wednesday night (August 21), the ground floor of Feni Sadar Hospital was suddenly flooded. As the surrounding areas became submerged, panic spread among the patients, doctors, and staff. Floodwaters entered the neonatal care unit, storage room, dialysis unit, and dental unit on the ground floor. The emergency department was moved to the second floor as conditions worsened, and the electricity supply was cut off. Shortly after the generator was activated, it too became inoperable due to water intrusion, plunging the hospital into darkness and heightening the sense of fear. The hospital’s medical services have been severely disrupted for the past five days. Despite efforts to transport critically ill patients to the hospital by boat and trawler from different areas of the district, no medical care has been available. Floodwaters reaching 5-6 feet around the roads and hospital areas have prevented doctors and officials from reaching their workplaces.

During the visit, it was also noted that cleanup operations had begun on the ground floor as the water levels receded. Two doctors and two senior staff nurses were providing basic medical care to patients on the second floor. Over 200 patients remain admitted to the hospital. In the past two days, the high water levels on the roads limited the number of incoming patients. However, as the water receded yesterday (August 26), there was an overwhelming influx of patients in the emergency department. Due to the lack of adequate personnel, patients were given basic care and then referred to the city’s dedicated hospitals.

Patients and their families who are currently admitted to the hospital reported that there has been no electricity since Wednesday (August 21). There is no water in the washrooms. Doctors were also unavailable in the hospital. Government-provided food and medical supplies were also unavailable. Occasionally, they survived on dry food provided by volunteers. Yesterday, volunteers distributed dry food, water, and candles to the patients.

Dr. Iftakhar Ahmad, the divisional director of health services in Chattogram, said, “We are coordinating with doctors from Dhaka and Chattogram to provide emergency health services by dedicating several private hospitals in Feni. We are working to restore normal operations at Feni General Hospital and other healthcare facilities as quickly as possible. The government health institutions will resume normal activities soon.”

Asif Iqbal, the residential medical officer of the 250-bed Feni General Hospital, said, “The flooding has caused extensive damage to the hospitals in Feni. As advised by the district administration, the health department has designated seven private hospitals in the city as dedicated hospitals. We have assigned 30 government doctors on a roster basis to continue providing healthcare services. Although doctors did not come to the government hospital yesterday, they fulfilled their duties at the dedicated hospitals. Patients admitted to these hospitals are receiving care at government rates.”