Jhalakathi Hospital Water Crisis Leaves Patients and Staff in Distress

A severe water crisis has crippled the Rajapur Upazila Health Complex in Jhalakathi for four consecutive days, disrupting medical services and hygiene at the facility.

Hospital authorities reported that nearly 80 patients, including women and children, are currently admitted to the 50-bed hospital. The crisis began after the facility's main water pump broke down. While the Health Engineering Department (HED) has begun repairs, the lack of running water has left patients and staff in extreme distress.

An on-site visit revealed completely dry water taps across the hospital. Relatives of patients are being forced to fetch water in buckets from a distant tube well. The lack of clean water has made bathing, using toilets, and basic sanitation nearly impossible, raising serious health and infection risks for vulnerable patients.

According to HED sources, the supply failed due to defects in the iron piping and housing of the hospital’s 1,000-foot-deep submersible tube well, which was installed roughly 55 years ago. Officials noted that a permanent solution is impossible without installing an entirely new pump system.

As a temporary measure, an HED contractor and mechanics from Khulna are attempting to pump water from a nearby pond. However, health experts and relatives have expressed concern that using untreated pond water could further compromise patient health.

Jhalakathi Civil Surgeon Dr. Mohammad Humayun Kabir stated that the issue has been escalated to the Chief Engineer of the Health Engineering Department, who has promised swift action toward a permanent solution.