Critically ill patients in Habiganj are being forced to pay high fares to private ambulance operators for emergency transfers to Sylhet or Dhaka, while two government ambulances meant to serve them sit idle and in disrepair.

Aslam Uddin, a resident of Habiganj town, said he had to pay nearly double the normal fare to take his ailing mother from Habiganj Sadar Hospital to Dhaka in a private ambulance after failing to get a government one.

"I'm not alone -- this is happening to many families here," he added.

Families say they often have no choice but to pay Tk 6,000–7,500 for a Dhaka trip, despite the official government rate being Tk 3,900.

Every day, an estimated 10 to 15 patients leave Habiganj 250-bed District Hospital for advanced treatment in Sylhet or Dhaka. But most depend on private ambulances, as the hospital's two government vehicles -- one received in 2009 and another in 2017 -- have become nearly unusable.

A hospital official, seeking anonymity, said one vehicle is "almost permanently at the workshop", while the other runs intermittently. Drivers often refuse to operate the old ambulance, the official said.

Private ambulance businesses, however, are thriving.

Abdullah, a local operator, said they charge Tk 6,500–7,500 for Dhaka and Tk 3,000–4,000 for Sylhet, depending on the vehicle model. Each of their ambulances earns Tk 40,000–50,000 a month.

Abdur Rouf, one of the government ambulance drivers, said both vehicles are old and frequently break down.

"The Dhaka–Sylhet highway is in bad shape, and these ambulances can't handle long-distance trips. Sometimes we have to turn patients away because the vehicles aren't roadworthy," he said.

Dr Aminul Haque Sarkar, superintendent of Habiganj District Hospital, said he has been appealing for replacements since his posting two and a half years ago.

"Both ambulances are in terrible condition due to age, but we try to serve as many patients as possible. I've repeatedly requested new vehicles from higher authorities, but none have arrived yet," he added.