Radda centre demolished, acts shifted outdoors
Children and mothers faced heat and discomfort as measles vaccination continued under a makeshift tarpaulin shelter outside the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1 on Saturday, a day after the health facility was vandalised and demolished.
With the centre reduced to rubble, vaccination services were moved to the roadside, while most other healthcare services remained suspended.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said he had instructed the authorities to immediately arrest those involved in the demolition.
“I have given instructions that those involved must be arrested immediately, whoever they are,” he told reporters after inaugurating a special measles-rubella vaccination campaign at Korail in the capital.
He said any dispute over the ownership or use of the property should be resolved through the courts and warned that the government would not tolerate attempts to occupy or demolish a facility under the cover of darkness.
According to authorities at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, more than 200 masked men carrying local weapons entered the facility around midnight on Thursday. They allegedly held two security guards hostage, looted medical equipment, medicines, vaccines, cash and other valuables, and then used heavy machinery to demolish the centre.
The attack reportedly destroyed one permanent and three semi-permanent buildings.
Vaccination resumed at around 10:30am Saturday outside the centre’s main gate, with tables and chairs placed under a tarpaulin for temporary shelter.
Several children appeared uncomfortable in the heat, with some crying while waiting for their vaccines.
Nasrin Akhter, executive director of the Radda MCH-FP Centre, said the organisation had arranged the temporary vaccination facility in an open space with support from local residents.
“We have many children coming here for vaccination, so we have made a temporary arrangement in the open space with tables and chairs. The vaccination programme is continuing,” she said.
However, she said the centre was unable to provide most of its regular healthcare services because its buildings, equipment and supplies had been destroyed or looted.
The facility has four doctors and around 15 other healthcare workers, including nurses and paramedics. While vaccination services have continued, routine examinations and consultations have been severely restricted.
Doctors can provide prescriptions to some patients, but the centre no longer has adequate space or equipment for routine medical services. Patients seeking ultrasonography and other services are being advised to visit nearby health facilities.
Nasrin said many patients were still arriving at the centre unaware of the incident.
“Some are coming for vaccination, while others are coming for ultrasonography and other healthcare services. They are surprised to see the current situation,” she said.
“Everything has been demolished and looted, so it is not possible to resume normal operations at the moment. People want to receive healthcare within their own neighbourhoods. For now, we are doing our best to continue only the vaccination services here.”
More than 10 children had arrived for vaccination by Saturday morning, and the centre expected to vaccinate around 100 children during the day.
Among those who brought their children for vaccination was Afsana Akhter, a Mirpur resident, who arrived with her 15-month-old son.
She said she had previously received his vaccinations inside the centre and was surprised to find the facility demolished.
“I thought I might have to turn back because the centre looked completely different,” she said.
Ayesha Begum, who brought her three-month-old daughter for vaccination, said she had received her previous dose inside the facility.
“This does not feel good. We are standing outside and the baby is suffering. It is hot and she is crying,” she said.
The Radda MCH-FP Centre began operating in Mirpur in 1974 to provide maternal and child healthcare to disadvantaged and low-income communities.
For decades, it has provided childhood vaccination, child healthcare, reproductive health and family-planning services.
The organisation said it had filed a case with Shah Ali Police Station over the alleged vandalism, looting and demolition. Nasrin Akhter, however, said the centre had yet to receive a copy of the first information report.
Following the incident, the centre’s regular healthcare services remain disrupted. For now, vaccination is continuing from a temporary outdoor facility beside the demolished centre.
