New facilities in Noakhali district hospital to serve locals, Rohingyas

NOAKHALI, Sept 14 (UNB): A newly- expanded in-patient care facility, a renovated operation theatre and an emergency unit at Noakhali Sadar District Hospital have been set up to serve the locals and also Rohingyas referred from Bhasan Char.
Dr. Masum Iftekhar, Noakhali Civil Surgeon, and UNHCR have jointly inaugurated the facilities in the presence of Hospital Superintendent Dr. Helal Uddin.
The renovation work was funded and facilitated by the UNHCR in coordination with the hospital authorities.
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.
As part of the work, UNHCR and partners, in close coordination with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Civil Surgeon of 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 September 04.
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.