Kurigram Char Residents Demand Conversion of Shelter Center into Hospital

Local residents formed a human chain in Nageshwari Upazila on Sunday afternoon, demanding that a newly constructed shelter center be converted into a functional hospital to serve isolated riverine communities.

The demonstration took place in front of the three-story Charkrishnapur shelter center, located in a remote char area completely cut off by the Dudhkumar, Gangadhar and Brahmaputra rivers.

Speakers highlighted that despite the modern infrastructure of the building, it remains unutilized outside of natural disasters. They argued that transforming the facility into a permanent hospital would bring essential healthcare coverage to thousands of marginalized islanders who are currently deprived of basic medical services.

The human chain followed the inauguration of a day-long free medical camp at the venue, opened by Md. Anwarul Islam, the Member of Parliament for Kurigram-1.

Presided over by Ballabherkhas Union Parishad Chairman Akmal Hossain, the rally was addressed by local leaders and social workers, including Jamaat-e-Islami Kachakata Thana President Maulana Enamul Haque, Secretary Abdul Baten, Kedar Union Parishad Chairman A.K.M. Wajidul Kabir Rashed and Char Development Committee President Abdul Quddus Chanchal.