Around 400,000 inhabitants of Morrelganj and Sharankhola, situated across the Panguchi River in Bagerhat, are calling on authorities to introduce telemedicine and river ambulance services while awaiting the completion of a long-pending bridge project. The proposed bridge, intended to link the Signboard–Morrelganj–Rayenda–Sharankhola route, received approval between 2021 and 2022 but has yet to materialize.
Cut off from the mainland due to the absence of the bridge, residents have faced challenges in accessing the district hospital in Bagerhat or Khulna Medical College Hospital during emergencies. The journey to Morrelganj Upazila Health Complex becomes arduous, especially when the river becomes turbulent during the monsoon season.
With ferries and boats being the sole modes of transportation, the transfer of critical patients to hospitals on the opposite side is often delayed. Sanjib Mollick, a resident of Kontakata in Sharankhola upazila, highlighted the life-threatening consequences of delays for patients with cardiac conditions, pregnant women, elderly individuals, or those requiring urgent medical attention.
Residents like Alamin Farazi emphasized the potential lifesaving impact of telemedicine and river ambulance services for patients stranded at night or during emergencies. Dr. Md Habibur Rahman, deputy civil surgeon of Bagerhat, acknowledged the challenging circumstances, noting that over half of the district’s population resides across the river. While immediate bridge construction may not be feasible, discussions are underway to explore solutions, including the potential launch of a river ambulance service.