Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, the largest healthcare facility in the district offering crucial services to some 20 lakh people, is infested with myriad of problems. The 100-bed hospital is not only struggling with limited manpower but also with the absence of majority of the government appointed doctors.
A recent visit to the hospital by this correspondent had found at least 12 doctors, out of 22, absent for various reasons. This has added to the sufferings of the patients at the hospital.
Out of the 12 absent doctors, Dr Sheikh Mostafa, Dr Akram Elahi and Dr Debashish are on long leave. Dr Monirul Islam is shifted to Police Line Hospital. Besides, senior eye specialist Dr Kazi Aftab-uz-zaman, paediatrician Dr Rajesh Mazumdar, gynaecologist Dr Tahmina Kabir, Dr Abdul Muyeed, Dr Hasan Imam, Dr Sumon Kumar Poddar, Dr Rafiqul Islam and Dr Rezaul Haq are absent without approval.
Only one doctor was seen working at the emergency, four for the indoor patients and five doctors were serving the outdoor, where everyday 600 to 700 patients visit on an average.
Majeda Begum of Bilashkhan village said patients had to spend a long time in the queue for doctors.. But sometimes doctors don’t show up.
“Doctors are busy with patients in their clinics. And we wait for hours for doctors in the hospital,” said Moti Mia, a trader from Chikandi Bazar.
According to the hospital sources, the posts of ENT specialist, medicine, skin and orthopaedics specialist are currently vacant. Though there is an eye specialist, he sees patients only twice a week. Besides, there is no posts for radiographer, junior mechanic, and security guards for the hospital. The work of the radiographer is done by a peon. And in the absence of security guards, the hospital turns into a hub for addicts after dark. Many valuable equipment are also getting stolen on a regular basis.
The ambulance service of the hospital has come to a complete stop when one ambulance was torched by mobs in a road crash in March. Other three ambulances have been out of order for a very long time.
When contacted, district civil surgeon Dr Nitish Kanti Debnath said: “The authority has been informed several times about the ambulance and manpower shortage. I have nothing to do if local parliament members don’t take any initiative.”
About the absence of doctors, he said action would be taken against those on leave without permission.