Tanvir Islam Kawsar, Moulvibazar
Healthcare for around 21 lakh people in Moulvibazar is struggling due to shortages of manpower and essential equipment. At the 250-bed District General Hospital, around 500 patients are admitted every day, while only 42 doctors are working against 84 sanctioned posts.
Of the hospital’s 408 approved posts, 103 are vacant. The shortage of doctors, nurses and technologists is making it difficult to cope with the patient pressure, with outpatients reportedly waiting for hours to see doctors.
“We have a 250-bed hospital, so such shortages are normal here. We are working to solve each problem and are also informing our higher authorities about the issues,” said Superintendent Dr Pranoy Kanti Das.
Only nine technologists are working against 14 posts. X-ray services are available three days a week, CT scans two days and ultrasonography four days. MRI services are completely closed, while the CCU and ICU are also out of order. There is also a shortage of chemicals required for dialysis.
Although the hospital has 250 beds, 450 to 500 patients are admitted daily. Many patients receive treatment on floors or in corridors. The pressure of patients and attendants has also made toilets and other areas unhygienic.
Conscious citizens said they had long been demanding a medical college in Moulvibazar. They alleged that the hospital provides little more than primary treatment and that patients with even relatively complicated illnesses are referred to Sylhet. They also claimed that many poor people are dying for lack of treatment, but the deaths are not properly counted.
District Commissioner Touhiduzzaman Pavel said, “There are many problems at the hospital. We have discussed these issues with the concerned people. Even if we want to do something, we cannot, because the hospital has its own board to run it.”
Limited diagnostic facilities have also created opportunities for brokers to operate. Poor infrastructure is adding to patients’ suffering, with water leaking through ceilings and walls at various points.
Around 200 patients are waiting for dialysis. Many dialysis patients are reportedly dying due to lack of treatment.
Parul Begum, who came for treatment, said, “My blood test was not done because of a shortage of medicine. There is no treatment here except primary care. Patients are referred to Sylhet even for minor problems. We are being severely deprived of healthcare. Even after paying money, we are not getting proper treatment.”
Alta Mia, a kidney patient, said he had contacted the hospital for dialysis but could not get a schedule. “The district’s only treatment centre is running with makeshift arrangements. There are no MRI, CCU or ICU services here,” he said.
Yamin Mia, an attendant, said he took his mother-in-law for an ultrasonography test but found the service closed. He was later forced to seek treatment at a private hospital.
Dr Pranoy Kanti Das said the hospital had to cope with around 500 admitted patients every day, making it very difficult to manage the pressure with the existing manpower. #EK
