Vehicle, solar equipment restored for patients in Bandarban’s Kurukpata after Daily Star report

A government vehicle and solar power equipment allocated for patient transport and healthcare services in the remote hill community of Kurukpata in Bandarban’s Alikadam upazila have finally been restored for public use amid an ongoing measles outbreak in the area.

On May 9, The Daily Star ran a report, titled “Measles camp in Bandarban's Kurukpata hampered by lack of transport, electricity”, where locals alleged that the government vehicle and solar power equipment were being kept at the union parishad chairman’s home and used for personal purposes.

Responding to the report, the upazila administration conducted an on-site investigation and found evidence supporting the allegations. The authorities recovered the vehicle and removed the solar equipment from the chairman’s home and reinstalled them at the temporary office of the union parishad.

The vehicle was repaired under an initiative of Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Monjur Alam. It was formally handed over to volunteers of Mro Youth Organisation on Thursday.

According to the upazila administration office, the vehicle will be used to transport measles patients and critically ill residents to Alikadam Upazila Health Complex and, if necessary, carry them to Cox's Bazar Medical College Hospital.

The recovered solar equipment include panels, batteries and an IPS system with an estimated capacity of 5,000 watts. Officials believe these will help electricity supply to ensure emergency healthcare services.

UNO Monjur Alam said, “We came to know about the matter through The Daily Star report and immediately launched an investigation. After finding evidence supporting the allegations, the government assets were recovered.”

Kurukpata Union Parishad Chairman Kratpung Mro said the vehicle and solar panels had been returned following instructions from the upazila administration.

Kurukpata union has long suffered from shortages in healthcare, electricity and transportation facilities. In recent weeks, outbreaks of measles, pneumonia and waterborne diseases have further worsened the situation.

Residents of the remote hill villages had been facing severe difficulties transporting ailing children and other patients to healthcare centres.