Medical services at Chaugachha Upazila Health Complex in Jashore district have been hampering badly due to the lack of physicians as three physicians remained absent for several years, thanks to the negligence of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Sources said three doctors at the Chaugachha Upazila Health Complex in Jashore have been absent for the past 10 years, depriving patients from getting their desired medical services as the authorities refrain from appointing replacements due to the positions not being declared vacant.

This situation has severely disrupted healthcare services, depriving the local population of necessary medical care.

Medical Officer of the hospital Mridul Kanti has been absent from his work since 2014 without notifying authorities.

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Similarly, Medical Officer Saima Nahid Shanta has been absent since 2021 and Medical Officer Golam Rasul has been away since 2019.

Despite repeated notifications from the health complex administration, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has not taken any action against them, nor have their positions been vacated.

The existing physicians are struggling a lot to provide medical treatment to the people due to the shortage of doctors.

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There are 16 physicians listed as active at the hospital out of 32 posts and among them three were absent for a long term while two of them were on deputation and two hold administrative positions, leaving only nine doctors to manage the daily operations of the hospital.

Meanwhile, the existing doctors are also seeking transfers due to the excessive patient load.

During a recent visit to the hospital, this correspondent found that a long queue of patients was seen at the outpatient department.

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Dr. Saidur Rahman Emon, an outpatient department physician, said, “Patient overcrowding is a daily occurrence here. The number of patients far exceeds the available doctors.”

Dr. Ahsanul Mizan Rumi, the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said, “I recently joined this hospital and have already informed higher authorities about the three absent doctors. I am hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon.”