An acute shortage of stuff is hampering medical services at Gowainghat Upazila Health complex in Sylhet, with 24 out of 30 doctor positions being currently vacant. The remaining six doctors are struggling to provide medical care to a large number patient in the upazila.
The outpatient department of the 50-bed hospital remains empty of doctors most of the days. Moreover, there is no one to keep the hospital clean, which is a major requirement in health services, as there is a lack of cleaning workers in the hospital as well.
It was learnt that almost 3,55,000 people live in Gowainghat upazila. Although the upazila health complex was upgraded to 50-bed hospital from 31-bed hospital in 2011, the locals did not get any benefit from it.
The doctors who are posted here are easily transferred with the interference from the ministry and higher authorities, leaving the posts empty. And the suffering of the people continues.
There are 30 positions for doctors, including the 10 posts for junior consultants. However, along with the Upazila Health Officer, there are only six doctors in the hospital currently. Among the 10 junior consultant, there is only one medicine doctor and one anesthesiologist. The cardiology consultant comes only two to three times a week as she is currently on deputation at Fenchuganj. Another assistant surgeon is on deputation since he joined in 2014 and serving at Sylhet Sadar Hospital Currently.
Moreover, there are 10 posts for specialist doctors in various areas, including orthopedics, ENT, gynecology and dermatology. But only two doctors available in these positions at present. As there are only six doctors in the 30 positions, the treatment in the hospital is being extremely hampered.
The Upazila Health Officer said they are providing services with utmost care amid the manpower shortage in the hospital.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer (UH & FPO) Dr Kisholoy Saha said during this crisis of manpower in hospital, two among the current six doctors are receiving training in Dhaka and Sylhet. Another doctor is on leave and went to home as his father is in critical condition. He will be on duty in the outpatient department from the next week. The locals also complained that there is no Emergency Medical Officer (EMO) in the emergency department. With the absence of Emergency Medical Officer, the patients are being deprived of the immediate care they need when they come to the emergency department. Moreover, the nurses do check-ups and admit patients most of the time. Along with that, a lack of cleaning workers had led to a dirty and unhygienic condition of the hospital.
UH & FPO Dr Kisholoy Saha further said that Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Jonme Jaoy Datta Dr Kisholoy visited the hospital recently. He spoke with the Deputy Civil Surgeon about the manpower crisis. In reply, the Deputy Surgeon said the transfers of the doctors are ordered from the ministry. The administration does not have any authority regarding the matter.
It was learnt that, except for 4 to 5 upazilas in Sylhet, most upazila health complexes face a shortage as doctors are reluctant to stay in these areas. The current Health Officer had initially introduced X-ray, ECG, and ultrasonography services here, but X-ray services have since stopped due to a lack of staff. Although the government provided the dental department with valuable equipment, including an X-ray machine and dental chair, no dental surgeon is available at present and the equipment was damaged in the 2022 floods.
Even though the Gowainighat Upazila Health Complex was upgraded to a 50-bed hospital, the local people remain deprived of modern healthcare. While the government’s goal is to improve healthcare services in rural areas, it often remains just talk for residents. With the shortage of doctors at the upazila level, getting adequate care is a distant dream for rural communities. Locals hope the government will address the vacant positions at the complex urgently to fulfill the basic healthcare needs of the people of Gowainighat.
