SM Abdullah Saud
Kalai Upazila Correspondent
Kalai Upazila Health Complex in Joypurhat is the only government medical center for about two lakh people. The crisis of doctors, nurses and modern equipment in the health complex has reached an extreme level. This is a terrible crisis for the poor and helpless people. Due to the lack of necessary doctors, nurses, employees and modern medical equipment, the common people are not getting the desired services. The patient pressure in this 50-bed hospital is so high that the doctors are struggling to provide services.
The information revealed that although there are 24 doctor posts, only 6 are currently working. There are no specialist doctors in important departments. Surgery, child health, ophthalmology, cardiology, (ear-nose-throat), orthopedics and even one of the two posts of dental surgeon has been vacant for a long time. Due to the lack of any effective initiative to fill these vacant posts, medical services have practically come to a standstill.
It has been observed on the ground that an average of 250-300 patients come to the outpatient department for treatment every day. However, the number of beds in the hospital is only 50. In reality, about 80-100 patients are regularly admitted, as a result of which many patients have to stay on the balcony, stairs and floor. Due to the shortage of doctors, it has become difficult to provide timely services to patients.
Out of a total of 194 third and fourth class posts in the hospital, 93 posts have been vacant for a long time. The manpower crisis has become apparent in almost every department, from nurses, health assistants, health inspectors, midwives, drivers to cleaners.
The ultrasonogram machine in the health complex has been out of order for a long time. The surgery department also lacks the necessary equipment. Even though there is a generator when the power goes out, it cannot be operated due to lack of oil, resulting in the hospital falling into darkness. The water shortage in the wards and the dirty condition of the toilets have created further suffering for the patients. Due to the lack of emergency medicines, patients have to buy medicines from outside. Most of the tests in the emergency department are also being done from private clinics.
Taking advantage of the doctor shortage, some medical assistants at the health complex are treating patients as 'doctors'. However, according to the law, no one without an MBBS or BDS degree can use the identity of a doctor. As a result, many patients are being accused of wrong treatment. Brokers are taking advantage of this opportunity to mislead patients and take them to clinics, where many are being subjected to ill-treatment.
Abu Bakkar, a resident of the municipality, said, "I came to the hospital with my child to see a doctor. When I arrived here, I saw that there was no pediatrician. A doctor on duty told me to go to Joypurhat Modern Hospital. If there was a doctor here, we would have saved both money and time."
Kalai Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Md. Mahbub ul Alam said, "We are providing services as much as possible with our limited manpower and necessary equipment. However, it is not possible to provide quality services without filling vacant posts and providing modern equipment."
