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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Environment & Climate

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From Daily Star · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A health center in Bangladesh is surrounded by a large garbage mound, causing distress to patients and staff.
  • The lack of a demarcated boundary for the health center's land has led to encroachment and the open space being used as an informal dumping ground.
  • Despite repeated demands and appeals to local authorities and traders' associations, the issue of waste dumping and encroachment remains unresolved.

Patients seeking treatment at the Prithimpassa Family Welfare Centre in Robirbazar, Bangladesh, are met with a towering garbage mound just steps from its entrance. The waste, including plastic, rotting food, and other trash, creates an overwhelming stench that exacerbates the discomfort of those seeking relief.

the overwhelming stench from the garbage piled high beside the health centre made her feel worse instead.

— Rahela BegumA patient describing the impact of the garbage on her well-being.

The crisis stems from the absence of a clearly demarcated boundary for the government land on which the center stands. This ambiguity has allowed for encroachment and the adjacent open space to become an informal dumping ground for market waste. Local residents have repeatedly demanded that the administration demarcate the center's boundaries, build a boundary wall, and remove the garbage, but no action has been taken.

We have repeatedly demanded that the administration demarcate the centre’s boundaries, build a boundary wall, prevent illegal encroachment and remove the garbage, but no step has been taken yet.

— Sadek HosainA local resident expressing frustration over the lack of action.

Shirina Khatun, the center's deputy assistant community medical officer, stated that people from the market are littering there and that the traders' association president has been informed, but no effective action has been taken. Masuk Ahmed, president of the Robirbazar Traders’ Association, acknowledged efforts to curb dumping and raise awareness but noted that some individuals continue to litter, especially since the designated waste disposal site is distant. He recommended allocating resources for waste management and identifying offenders via CCTV.

People from the market are littering here. The traders’ association president has been informed, but no effective action has been taken.

— Shirina KhatunThe center's deputy assistant community medical officer on the source of the problem and lack of response.

Jerin Akhter, acting upazila health and family planning officer, confirmed that initiatives, including meetings with market authorities, have been undertaken, but the problem persists. She plans to write to the concerned authorities again to seek a prompt solution, highlighting the ongoing health risks posed by the persistent waste dumping.

However, a section of people continued to litter regardless, especially since the market’s designated waste disposal site is some distance away.

— Masuk AhmedPresident of Robirbazar Traders’ Association explaining continued littering.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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