Caesarean section equipment worth Tk25 crore at four upazila health complexes in Kishoreganj is falling into ruin as such operations have not been performed at the facilities for years. Pregnant women of remote villages have thus been forced to undergo C-sections at private hospitals in the town where the charge is exorbitant.
Back in 2002, health complexes were built at the four upazilas – Karimganj, Nikli, Mithamoin and Katiadi – with a view to offering quality healthcare services. The buildings, each built at a cost of Tk3-3.5 crore, boast cosy rooms for both patients and visitors, and operation theatres having modern features.
Karimganj Upazila Health Complex began offering caesarean section in October 2006. After 125 operations, caesarean surgeon Aminur Rahman was transferred elsewhere in December and the post remained unoccupied. After some time, the facility stopped offering the procedure.
Yasmin, a pregnant girl who recently came to her father’s house in Madhyapara of Karimganj, said the upazila health complex is not too far from the house but C-sections are not offered there.
“Doctors there told me to go to private hospitals in Kishoreganj but I am very insolvent which makes me worried about my upcoming child. I am really frustrated with the lack of such an essential healthcare service at the upazila health complex,” she said.
Caesarean section was offered for a couple of months at Katiadi Upazila Health Complex in 2003 but was discontinued when the surgeon was posted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on deputation.
Meanwhile, no caesarean surgeon had been appointed at Mithamoin Upazila Health Complex since the opening of the facility.
Fazal Mia, a resident of Gopdighi village in the upazila, said he was compelled to take his wife to a clinic in the district town although the health complex had all the necessary equipment for performing C-sections.
“Everything was there but there was no surgeon to carry out the procedure which is unfortunate,” he said.
Nikli Upazila Health Complex has a caesarean surgeon but no anaesthetist or nurse was appointed at the department. The facility had no C-section delivery in the last 10 years.
Katiadi Health and Family Planning Officer, Syed Md Manjurul Haque, said the authorities were informed of the problems but no step to resolve those had been taken.
Kishoreganj Civil Surgeon Mrinal Kanti Pandit said it was a laudable initiative to introduce C-section facilities at the health complexes but the problems had not been duly addressed.
“The problems can be resolved by appointing the required manpower,” he added.