AMTALI, BARGUNA, July 1: Due to physician crisis, healthcare services are seriously hampered at Amtali Upazila Health Complex in Amtali Upazila of the district.
Of the total 31-granted posts of doctor and health official, only three ones are posted in the 50-bed health complex.
Only doctors are posted in the 50-bed upazila health complex against granted 31 posts. Due to 28 vacant posts, 2.5 lakh people of the upazila are deprived of proper healthcare services.
In addition to the 50-bed upazila health complex, there are one 10-bed hospital at Azimpur Bazar at Kukua Union and one each health sub-centre at Gazipur Bazar at Atharagachhia Union and Gulishakhali Bazar at Gulishakhali Union.
There are 31 granted posts of doctors including specialised for the hospitals.
These included one each upazila health officer, junior consultant surgeon, junior medicine consultant, gynae consultant, dental surgeon, anaesthesiologist, and six junior consultants of ENT, one RMO and two medical officers.
But only two medical officers and one upazila health and family planning officers are posted. The remaining 28 posts have been lying vacant for a long time.
Dr Fayjur Rahman joined the upazila health complex as medical officer on February 29. But he has been absent after evening of that day.
He has been issued showcause notice two times. His salary and allowance have been suspended.
When asked about his absence, he could not give any satisfactory answer.
Upazila health and family planning officer always remains busy in administrative activities. That is why it is impossible for two medical officers to handle the 50-bed hospital having Outdoor and Emergency Department.
Many patients are going back from the hospital without being treated.
Treatment activities have been suspended in Azimpur Bazar 10-bed hospital, and Gazipur and Gulishakhali union sub-centres due to lack of doctors for the last one month.
Against 90 granted posts of second grade staffs, 60 posts including statistician, cashier, medical technologist, cardiographer, store keeper, sub-assistant community medical officer, and compounder are lying vacant.
Against granted 33 posts of third grade staffs including ward boy, Aya, Maali, cook, security guard and cleaners, 19 positions are vacant.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Chinmoy Hawladar said, an approach letter has been sent to the authorities concerned requesting recruiting doctors on the emergency basis.
"I hope the problem will be solved soon," he added.
Barguna Civil Surgeon (CS) Dr Pradip Chandra Mandal said, the physician crisis has been informed to the Director General of the Health Department.
If doctors from far areas are posted here, they don want to stay, he added.
If doctors are appointed from own upazila, it gives better result, the CS maintained.
