Shortage of doctors hampers services at Char Fasson hospital

Published : Wednesday, 24 July, 2019 at 12:00 AM Count : 506

CHAR FASSON, BHOLA, July 23: Manpower crisis has hit Char Fasson Upazila Health Complex hard.
There are 20 unions and one municipality in the upazila. The population is about seven lakh. This health complex is the only place for treating people. Only nine are currently serving here. As a result, the people of the upazila are not getting expected health care.
But the Heath Department claimed that best treatment is being provided with insufficient manpower.
The 31-Bed Char Fasson Upazila Health Complex was built in 1962. The bed number was upgraded to 50 in 2003. To upgrade the bed number to 100, work is on from January 1, 2018. But, people are not getting expected result of the upgradation.
Besides the Health Complex, the manpower crisis is also acute in other health care centres of the upazila.
Among 35 sanctioned posts of doctors in different health care centres, only 10 are working. Of them, an ENT specialist Dr Tajul Islam has been missing for six years. Thus, nine doctors are actually working now. These doctors are attending over hundred patients everyday in indoor and outdoor.
Human rights workers think that on one hand, patients are not getting proper treatment and on the other hand the people are facing inequality.
Ward Commissioner Aktarul Alam Shamu and teacher Nirob Hawlader said there are fewer doctors in local hospitals. More doctors should be appointed in those posts. There should be some policy so that the newly appointed doctors cannot transfer from here. Upazila Health Officer Dr Sirajul Islam admitted the allegation of doctor crisis and said, 30 beds are being upgraded to 100 beds, but there is no required manpower. In the upazila, there are 35 posts for doctors. Two specialists and two medical officers are now working. Besides, there are dentist and upazila health and family planning officer.
Bhola Civil Surgeon Dr Rathindranath Majumder said, he informs the matter to the higher authority every month. They are trying to fulfil the demand of the patients.