GOPALGANJ, Oct 21: Despite the announcement of the full inauguration of the Gopalganj Medical College Hospital, the desired improvement in healthcare services has not been achieved.
Although the hospital was launched in January 2024 with the Medicine and Paediatrics departments, the remaining 16 departments have not yet become operational. Due to a shortage of necessary manpower and various other problems, the hospital's activities are running on a limited scale.
Sources within the hospital report that while 18 departments were supposed to be operational, patient admission and treatment services are currently only available in two departments. Against a sanctioned strength of 81 doctors, only 40 are currently working. The number of nurses and other staff is also lower than required. Consequently, the hospital authorities are struggling to provide treatment to patients every day.
The outpatient department was launched on February 8, 2023, and exactly one year later, on January 25, 2024, the Medicine and Paediatrics departments were opened. However, even after nine long months, no steps have been taken to launch the other departments. This is increasing the frustration of patients from Gopalganj and surrounding areas.
Locals state that while they were hoping for treatment at the medical college hospital, they are now forced to rush to the medical college hospitals in Dhaka, as well as Khulna and Barishal.
Patients admitted to the hospital and their relatives report various problems even in the two operational departments. They have complaints about water shortages, foul smells in the bathrooms, and the poor quality of food, among other issues. Relatives of several patients complained, "After being admitted, we can't get water, and the toilets are unusable."
Regarding this, the hospital's director Dr. Premananda Mondal, said, "As the hospital is new, we are facing some problems. However, initiatives have been taken to launch four more departments soon. Once all departments are opened in phases, it will be possible to provide comprehensive healthcare services."
Locals demand that if all departments are launched quickly, it will benefit people not only from Gopalganj but also from neighbouring districts like Bagerhat, Narail, and Madaripur.
