Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s public healthcare system, now struggles with ‘widespread’ irregularities, including a severe shortage of medicines, leaving poor and middle-class patients without the proper care they desperately need. The hospital, consistently exceeding its bed capacity, is grappling with overcrowded wards and an overwhelming patient load, severely compromising its ability to provide proper medical care. Reports from various departments highlight a grim picture: unclean environments, low-quality food, inadequate staffing, and patients often forced to lie on the floors of overcrowded corridors and wards. Hospital Director Brigadier General Asaduzzaman Khan acknowledged the increasing number of patient complaints, admitting the gravity of the situation. “We are aware of these issues and steps are being taken to address them,” he said. However, the situation seems to have worsened, with one of the most concerning issues being the chronic shortage of medicines. A patient, who chose to remain anonymous, spoke about the difficulties of getting essential drugs from the hospital’s pharmacy. “Most of the necessary medicines are unavailable here. We often have no choice but to purchase them at higher prices from pharmacies outside,” the patient said. The stark contrast between the hospital’s shortages and the full stock of nearby pharmacies has raised suspicions about the management of medicine supplies within the facility. In one instance, a woman from a rural village was seen heading to a nearby pharmacy, escorted by a man. When asked about their destination, the woman confirmed that she was going to buy medicine. However, when questioned about the man’s identity or whether he was receiving a commission for directing patients to the pharmacy, he quickly avoided answering. Brigadier General Asaduzzaman Khan, when confronted about the shortages, explained that the problem lay in the supply chain. “What can we do if the government does not supply the required medicines? There are many items we need that are simply not being supplied,” he said. In addition to the medicine shortages, some patients have reported receiving only one type of medication over a span of several days due to the lack of necessary supplies. Families have frequently had to buy medications from outside sources, adding an extra financial burden on already struggling patients. One hospital staff member pointed to budgetary constraints as the primary reason behind the shortages. “We don’t have a government supply. We can’t always provide every medicine due to budget shortfalls. To offer complete services, we need to double our budget,” the staff member explained, though they declined to provide further details on the specifics of the hospital’s current budget allocation. Allegations of Syndicate and Bribery Practices Further complicating matters are widespread allegations of bribery and corrupt practices within the hospital. Several patients have claimed that hospital staff and ward aides are demanding bribes ranging from 50 to 100 taka for basic services such as providing wheelchairs and facilitating medical tests. These practices have added to the already heavy financial burden placed on families who are seeking essential medical care. One unregistered worker, seen assisting a patient, admitted to accepting tips for his services. "We don't force anyone to give us money, but if they do, it helps with our expenses," he said. Brigadier General Asaduzzaman Khan has acknowledged the existence of such practices, stating that the hospital is actively working to address these issues.  "Both sides share the blame. We have dismissed several people based on these complaints and are working to dismantle such practices, though complete eradication has yet to be achieved.” Read: Mismanagement and overcrowding plague Dhaka Medical College Hospital Earlier this year, in February, the High Court weighed in on the pervasive influence of syndicates in the healthcare sector. The court described the syndicates as playing "games of ducks and drakes" with people’s lives, accusing them of supplying expired drugs and medical equipment for profit. The court urged all concerned parties to remain vigilant and take action to protect vulnerable patients from such exploitative practices. Struggling Medical Supply Chain Medicine supply has long been a challenge in Bangladesh's public healthcare system. A 2020 survey revealed that 72% of public hospitals face regular shortages of medicines, exacerbating the difficulties for patients who rely on these facilities for care. A number of factors contribute to these shortages, including inadequate budget allocation, limited healthcare insurance, and an overwhelming number of outpatients. The public healthcare sector has historically received less than 1% of the country’s GDP over the past 12 years, which is insufficient to meet the demands of the growing population. Without health insurance, many patients are required to pay for outpatient services, further compounding the strain on public hospitals. Despite these challenges, some efforts have been made to improve the situation. The World Bank provided critical assistance, including supplying vaccines, syringes, and medical equipment to help Bangladesh manage the COVID-19 crisis. Besides, the government heavily subsidises public healthcare, though these subsidies are often insufficient to meet the growing demands of the system. A study conducted in 2013 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital highlighted further issues in the hospital's medical supply chain. The study, which surveyed hospital shop employees, revealed that over half of the drugs were purchased through open tender, while a significant portion came through direct purchases and donations. Read more: Government renames 14 hospitals and medical colleges However, the hospital's pharmacy suffers from a lack of proper storage facilities, with no air-conditioning or refrigeration available in the store. The management has called for improvements in quality control, storage facilities and training to improve the system. Looking Ahead The situation at Dhaka Medical College Hospital paints a worrying picture of the state of public healthcare in Bangladesh. From the lack of basic medicines to the widespread practice of bribery and corruption, the hospital's problems are a microcosm of the systemic issues that plague the broader healthcare system. While efforts to improve the situation are ongoing, patients and healthcare workers alike are calling for more substantial reforms, increased funding, and greater transparency to ensure that Bangladesh’s public healthcare system can truly meet the needs of its people.

Seven more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 257 this year. During the period, 1, 139 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, 230 dengue patients were admitted in hospital under Dhaka North City Corporation while 179 were hospitalized in Dhaka South City Corporation.  Some 3,838 patients are receiving treatment in different hospitals across the country. A total of 52, 058 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year.

Three more patients were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours to Thursday morning. Of the new patients, all were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). 24 dengue patients, including 14 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. So far, the DGHS has recorded 796 dengue cases, 766 recoveries, and nine deaths this year. The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.

One person died and twenty people were hospitalized with dengue in the 24 hours till Monday morning. Of the new patients, nine were admitted to the hospitals in Dhaka and 11 outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). A total of 170 dengue patients, including 57 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country So far, DGHS recorded 289 dengue cases and 118 recoveries this year with one death. Also Read: Dengue: 27 more patients hospitalised in 24 hrs The country reported 281 deaths from the mosquito-borne disease last year, the highest ever dengue fatalities recorded in a single year in Bangladesh. The previous record of 179 deaths was reported in 2019. The DGHS has recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries in the past year.    

Thirty-one more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours to Thursday morning. However, no fatalities were reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Also, the DGHS has not reported any dengue death in the first five days of this year. The country recorded 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after the 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Read more:Two more dengue patients die, new cases 462 A total of 214 dengue patients, including 101 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. The DGHS has recorded 207 dengue cases and seven recoveries so far this year. It recorded 62,423 cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.  

A digital X-ray machine at Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital has been lying inoperative for lone due to negligence of the hospital authorities, depriving treatment seekers from the service.According to hospital sources, the government sent a Listem 500MA Digital X-ray machine for Jhenaidah Shishu Hospital in 2008 at a cost of TK 60 lakh. Though the machine was very important for diagnosis and treatment of children, it was not even unpacked for six years at the hospital. Then it was brought to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital in 2014, said Shafiqul Islam, in-charge of the X-ray department of the hospital. Read more: X-ray machines at most Feni govt hospitals not working for years "When it was unboxed, it was found that rats entered the X-ray machine and cut the wires of the machine into pieces, leaving the fluoroscopy site damaged," he added. “Though the radiography site was operational at that time, now the whole machine is out of order due to lack of repair.” “It remained inoperative for the last 8 years. The machine will be repaired next June if we get government allocation”, said Shafiqul. When contacted, Dr. Ali Hasan Farid, head of Jhenaidah Shishu Hospital, said he can't say anything about it as he joined the hospital in 2021. He, however, said that they have sent a list of requirements to the ministry for many equipment including x-ray machines for the hospital. Read more: Govt to set pvt hospitals’ service fees: Health Minister

Forty-nine more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Wednesday morning. Of the new patients, 19 were admitted to the hospitals in Dhaka and 30 outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). A total of 212 dengue patients, including 102 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country So far, DGHS recorded 176 dengue cases and 36 recoveries this year with zero death. Read more: Dengue: 29 more patients hospitalised in 24 hrs The country reported 281 deaths from the mosquito-borne disease last year, the highest ever dengue fatalities recorded in a single year in Bangladesh. The previous record of 179 deaths was reported in 2019. The DGHS has recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries in the past year.

Another 506 patients were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning. Of the new patients, 367 were admitted to different hospitals in Dhaka and 139 outside it. A total of 1,874 dengue patients, including 1,427 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. This year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh rose to 55 on Wednesday with another death reported from Chattogram. Read: 440 more hospitalised with Dengue in 24 hrs Of the total deaths, 27 were reported from Dhaka division, 24 from Chattogram and four from Barishal division. On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the viral disease. This year, the directorate has recorded 15,852 dengue cases and 13,923 recoveries so far.

Another 96 dengue patients were hospitalised across the country in 24 hours till Monday morning, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Among them, 69 patients were hospitalised in Dhaka while 27 in other places, it said. As many as 397 dengue patients including 327 in the capital are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. On Thursday, this year's death toll from the mosquito-borne viral disease rose to 16 with one more death reported from Dhaka. Among the total deaths, 10 were reported from Cox’s Bazar while six from Dhaka. On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the viral disease. In July, the country reported 1,571 dengue cases with nine deaths. This year, the DGHS has recorded 3,855 dengue cases and 3,442 recoveries so far.  

The country confirmed 53 more dengue – a viral infection – cases in the 24 hours to Friday morning. Fifty new patients were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and three outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Three hundred and forty-six dengue patients, including 274 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. Read: 53 new dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hrs Thursday, this year's death toll from the mosquito-borne viral disease rose to 16 with one more death reported from Dhaka. Of all the deceased, 10 were reported from Cox's Bazar and six from Dhaka. On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the viral disease. In July, it recorded 1,571 dengue cases and nine deaths. This year, the DGHS has recorded 3,551 dengue cases and 3,189 recoveries so far.