Health services at Jamalganj Model Hospital in Sunamganj are being hampered due to shortage of doctors and staff, causing sufferings to about 200,000 people of the upazila.
Seven posts of doctors, including the posts of health and family planning officer, medicine specialist, medical officer, anesthesia and dental surgeon have been lying vacant in the hospital at Jamalganj upazila since 2003.
There was no dentist in the hospital since its establishment. The lone X-ray machine remains inoperative due to lack of film.
After a long wait, the government allotted an ambulance for the hospital but it could not be used for emergency service as no driver was appointed for the vehicle, reports UNB.
Twenty other posts including the posts of nursing supervisor, eight staff nurses, two medical technicians (Lab), two medical technicians (Pharmacist), one medical technician (Radio), have been lying vacant for long.
Besides, nine posts IV-class employees including the posts of one ward boy, one cook, four sweepers, and one night guard, remained vacant.
In Sadar union post of one medical officer, one pharmacist and one MLA remain vacant in Sonarbangla Health Complex.
Upazila acting Health and Family Planning officer D Manisor Chowdhury said they have sent letters to the authorities concerned several times to appoint at least five doctors, five nurses and an ambulance driver for smooth functioning of the hospital but yet to get any response.