After years of uncertainty, the newly constructed 250-bed Sylhet District Hospital at Chowhatta in the city is finally set to open, officials said.
The hospital, built at a cost of Tk 85 crore after demolishing the historic Abu Sina Hostel, was completed in 2023 but has since remained unused due to administrative complications and lack of ownership by health authorities.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Sarwar Alam on Thursday said that all complexities are being resolved and the hospital’s activities will start within the next one or two months. Once operational, it is expected to ease the heavy patient load at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
Officials said the delay stemmed from disputes over who would run the hospital—the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Osmani Medical College Hospital, or the Civil Surgeon’s Office.
None agreed to take charge initially, leaving the Public Works Department unable to hand over the building.
Last week, the Health Ministry formed an eight-member committee, including officials from the Civil Surgeon’s Office and DGHS engineers, to decide on management, staffing, logistics and supervision. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations soon.
The PWD said construction of the 15-storey building, up to the eighth floor, has been completed with parking, outpatient, diagnostic, surgical, ICU and ward facilities. It includes 19 ICU beds, 9 CCU beds and 40 cabins. Only minor finishing and cleaning work remains.
However, shortages of furniture, medical equipment, and even a boundary wall have delayed the inauguration. A supplementary budget is being prepared to complete the remaining work.
Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Janmajoy Dutta said the hospital, built next to Shahid Shamsuddin Hospital, will likely be handed over to its management once the supplementary budget is approved and pending work is finished. Sylhet Divisional Civil Surgeon Director Dr Nure Alam Shamim has been given interim charge.
The project began in January 2019, when then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated construction on 6.98 acres of land. Work started in early 2020 after cultural activists withdrew protests against the demolition of Abu Sina Hostel.
Officials expressed hope that once operational, the modern hospital will significantly reduce pressure on Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital and improve healthcare access in the region.