Dr. Masum Iftekhar, Noakhali Civil Surgeon and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have jointly inaugurated a newly expanded in-patient care facility, a renovated operation theatre and an emergency unit at Noakhali Sadar District Hospital, in presence of the Hospital Superintendent Dr. Helal Uddin.

The renovation work was funded and facilitated by UNHCR in coordination with hospital authorities.

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These facilities will enhance healthcare service delivery for locals in Noakhali district as well as Rohingyas referred from Bhasan Char, said the UN agency on Tuesday.

UNHCR also donated 460 oxygen cylinders to the hospital.

“Noakhali District Hospital is doing its best to support the needs of Bangladeshis and refugees despite resource constraints. We appreciate UNHCR's excellent and dependable support to the hospital,” said Dr. Uddin.

UNHCR has been committed to enhance access to health services for refugees and Bangladeshis hosting them.

As part of these work, UNHCR and partners, in close coordination with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Civil Surgeon Cox's Bazar and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of Bangladesh, established and inaugurated the first mental health in-patient care unit in Nayapara on 4 September.

While located in the refugee camps, this facility will provide mental health services for both refugees and Bangladeshis.

Dr. Allen Maina UNHCR Senior Public Health Officer said: “We are delighted to work with the government of Bangladesh and the Directorate General of Health Services to improve health care and enhance access for people of Cox’s Bazar and Noakhali. The concerted effort by our partners, donors and the authorities makes it possible to ensure healthcare for all.”

UNHCR has also recently renovated an out-patient and in-patient department in the health centre of Camp 4 in Cox’s Bazar last week.

All will provide 24/7 comprehensive primary health services including mental health and sexual and reproductive health care.

The extensive work to support access to health services is possible thanks to the generous funding by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Government and People of Japan.