NOAKHALI, Nov 25: Manpower shortage has hit at Subarnachar Upazila Health Complex.
The Health Complex is running somehow, which has increased frustration among patients.
With an aim to spread health care services to grassroots people of the upazila, the government built the Health Complex on six acres of land.
The island upazila emerged on the Meghna River many years ago, where people have been living with struggle. The upazila is formed with 72 wards under eight unions. The total population is about four lakh. Over 70 people live under poverty line.
Nobody wants to think about the poor people and their various plights. Their health care facilities are getting marred by the negligence of the authority concerned. As they are not getting minimum health care facilities, they go to the village quakes, who cheat them in the name of treatment.
Family Planning Officer of the Health Complex Dr Hasina Jahan admitted various problems of it. She said, the Health Complex has 50 beds with new building, but the posts of junior consultant, doctors and 4th class employee are vacant. Out of 26 doctors' posts, 18 are vacant.
Besides, the x-ray machine is damaged, the ultrasonogram machine has been taken to Dhaka for repair, there is no echocardiogram machine, there are no instruments to run operation theatre and no dental unit and generator, and the ambulance is nearly damaged.
While visiting the Health Complex recently, it was found that the hospital is in deplorable state. Due to lack of required doctors, the patients are being deprived of many facilities. As there is no sweeper, dirt and garbage is everywhere. The patients' beds are unclean.
Local people said, after Family Planning Officer of the Health Complex Dr Hasina Jahan came here, they saw some ray of hope. She is trying her best to run the hospital. But, due to lack of required manpower, she is facing setback to run it in full swing.
Noakhali Civil Surgeon Dr Bidhan Chandra Sen Gupta said, "The Health Complex is running in new building. We will take steps to solve the manpower crisis as soon as possible. We will inform the Health Ministry to take steps about the instruments."
