United News of Bangladesh

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. ‘Relay Farming’ brings new hope to farmers in Khulna 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. Prices of winter vegetables drop in Khulna, essentials continue to rise 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. Dredging proves no solution to the Khakdon RIver's navigability issues in Barguna 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.”

Thousands of people are being deprived of adequate health facilities as the lone X-ray machine at 50-bed Shalla upazila health complex has been lying unused for 18 years at its corridor, thanks to the negligence of the authorities concerned. The X-ray machine was bought for the health complex at about Tk 19 lakh in 2005. But it remained unpacked and unused for the long period, wasting public money. Visiting the hospital, the UNB correspondent found the machine lying unprotected and neglected at the corridor of the old building’s south gate of the hospital. Different damaged parts of the X-ray machine found scattered around the box. Read more: Keep hospital beds ready for Nipah patients: DGHS The box is now being used for keeping waste bins. Talking the correspondent, some patients said they face huge trouble as there is no hospital in the upazila that provides X-ray service. They said they have to go Ajmiriganj of Habiganj or Derai in Sunamganj, both almost 20 kilometers off Shalla, or other district and divisional hospitals if any X-ray is needed, no matter how critical the patient’s condition is. During monsoon, they have to depend on boats for carrying patients. Read more: Number of arsenic patients decreased in country: Health Minister After the procurement of the X-ray machine in 2005 at the health complex, locals hoped that this would bring an end to their sufferings. But their expectation has not been fulfilled even after 18years. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Shashanka Ghosh said that a team has visited the hospital and examined the machine and found one if its three lines damaged. The service will be started as soon as possible after fixing the problem, he added. Md. Ahmed Hossain, Civil Surgeon of Sunamganj district, said, “An engineer from Dhaka came and examined the machine. There is a little problem that needs to be fixed. Hope the X-ray service will start soon.” Read More: People in prisons have rights to health care: HC observes.