Former health minister Mohammad Nasim inaugurated the ICCU on January 31, 2015. It is equipped with four beds and necessary machineries.
Thousands of heart, nerve and neurology patients from Jamalpur, Kurigram and Sherpur districts could receive treatment had the ICCU been in operation. Many patients, particularly those suffering from heart diseases, are left with no choice but to go to the capital or Mymensingh for treatment.
Hafij Raihan, president of Jamalpur Press Club, said it is matter of great regret that the ICCU at Jamalpur General Hospital is lying idle even five years after inauguration.
“As a consequence, locals are being deprived of proper medical services. On the other hand, the unused machineries of the unit are going out of order over the course of time,” he said, urging the authorities concerned to start the healthcare unit to mitigate the suffering of the people.
Shamima Khan, a woman rights activist, said people have to go to Mymensingh and Dhaka when they face heart complications. “In many cases, patients die before reaching the hospitals. They will get treatment within a short time once the ICCU goes into operation,” she said.
Dr Profullo Kumar Saha, assistant director of the hospital, said although there are all necessary arrangements, the ICCU was not launched due to manpower shortage.
“We have informed the high ups about the issue,” he said.
Dr Md Murad Hasan, State Minister for Information, said the unit will be launched with specialist doctors and necessary equipment. But it needs some time.