United News of Bangladesh

Cracks running across the walls, rainwater seeping through the roof and chunks of plaster peeling away have become part of daily life at the Sylhet Leprosy Hospital, raising growing concerns about patient safety and the quality of care. The 135-year-old hospital, one of only three specialised government leprosy facilities in Bangladesh, is now in a visibly dilapidated state. Visits to the hospital showed that toilets without doors, dirty bathrooms and broken medical equipment have left patients and staff worried that treatment inside the building has become increasingly risky. Established in 1890, the hospital sits on 4.72 acres of land and has an official capacity of 80 beds, though only 48 are currently usable. According to hospital records, 19 patients were admitted to its three wards on January 24, while an average of 15 to 20 people seek treatment daily at the outpatient department (OPD). 250-bed Khulna hospital project withdrawn from PPP list During a recent visit, all three patient toilets were found without doors, televisions in the wards were broken, and cracks were visible in several parts of the building. Staff told the UNB correspondent that the situation worsens during the rainy season. “Rainwater enters through the roof when it rains, creating panic among both patients and employees,” said Md Monirul Islam, the hospital’s statistical officer. He also pointed out a rise in the number of identified leprosy patients in the Sylhet region in recent years. “There were 20 patients in 2020, 37 in 2021, 35 in 2022, 79 in 2023, 58 in 2024 and 58 so far in 2025.” Doctors at the hospital explained that leprosy is mildly contagious and spreads through germs transmitted by sneezing and coughing. Early symptoms include light-coloured or reddish patches on the skin that do not itch, sweat or grow hair. Other warning signs include painless lumps on the face, neck, chest or back, swelling of the earlobes, and loss of sensation in the hands, feet or eyes. Sylhet Deputy Civil Surgeon Janmejoy Dutta said the higher number of detected cases does not necessarily indicate a wider spread of the disease. “Earlier, many cases were not identified. Now awareness has increased, and people are coming forward for treatment.” He said the Health Department aims to eliminate leprosy by 2030, with both government and non-government organisations working together towards that goal. Hospital officials say the building’s condition has been deteriorating for decades. “A single floor was added to the original structure in 1963, and later a three-storey building was constructed gradually. The building is very old and in extremely poor condition. We have informed the authorities several times, but no action has been taken,” Monirul Islam alleged. Staff fears are echoed by patients. “It is a very dangerous building. A major accident could happen at any time,” warned Sabbir Ahmed, a head assistant at the hospital, noting that plaster often falls from the walls during the rainy season. A 70-year-old patient, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “My hands have deteriorated. I had to do all the tests outside because there is no proper system here.” Another patient, aged 65, who has been admitted weeks back, said, “The doctor comes only once a day. Staying in the building is frightening. Something could fall at any moment.” Outpatient Akhter Hossain said patients waiting for treatment constantly fear debris falling from the ceiling. The hospital is also struggling with acute staff shortages. Only 29 staff members are currently working against an approved strength of 50. A post for making special shoes for leprosy patients has remained vacant since 2021. A cleaner said the shortage has had a visible impact. “Earlier, even six cleaners were not enough. Now only four of us are working,” he said. Another staff member said all patient testing has stopped due to a lack of manpower, while most medical equipment remains unusable. Junior Consultant Dr Nahid Rahman described the situation as deeply concerning. “Sylhet Leprosy Hospital is the largest of its kind in Bangladesh, but its condition is extremely poor. We have repeatedly informed higher authorities, but no steps have been taken,” he lamented.    

A British expatriate, who was found unconscious along with her four family members in their rented house in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet district on July 26, died at a hospital early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Samira Islam, daughter of Rafiqul Islam. Rafiqul, 50, a UK expatriate and his son Mahiqul Islam, 16, died at the same hospital on July 26 after they were found unconscious with three more family members. SM Main Uddin, officer-in-charge of Osmaninagar Police Station, said Samira had been undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital (SOMCH), where she died around 1.20am early Thursday. On July 25, the five -- Rafiqul, Mahiqul, Samira, Rafiqul’s wife Husnara Begum, 45, and son Sadiqul Islam, 25 -- were found unconscious inside the house in Tajpur of Osmaninagar upazila. All of them were taken to SOMCH that day. Of them, Husnara and Sadiqul were discharged from the hospital after recovery on Wednesday (August 3). Also read: 2 die after 5 members of UK expat family found unconscious in Sylhet "Samira’s kidney and liver remained dysfunctional due to poisoning and she remained unconscious while undergoing treatment at the hospital," said Dr Gaffar, deputy director of SOMCH. "A medical board was formed for providing treatment to Samira." Sajjad Ahmad, brother-in-law of Rafiqul, said Rafiqul had come to the country with his family on July 12 for the treatment of his son Sadiqul. After staying in Dhaka for six days, Rafiqul rented the house in Tajpur of the upazila on July 18. Additional superintendent of Sylhet Police MD Lutfar Rahman said they rescued the five people in unconscious condition from the house on Mangalchandi road in Tajpur Bazar around 11.30 am after receiving a call from the National Emergency Service 999 the following day. Police suspect that they fell unconscious due to suffocation as the generator was operational for the whole night.

Coronavirus testing machines and related equipment were sent to Sylhet's MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital on Monday morning.   Brig Gen Md Yunusur Rahman, director of the hospital, said the RT-PCR machine and other equipment arrived around 8:30am.

A woman, who returned from London 13 days ago, was admitted to a Sylhet government hospital on Monday night and kept in quarantine.