Birganj Upazila Health Complex in Dinajpur is struggling to provide adequate healthcare services due to an acute shortage of doctors and support staff, leaving thousands of residents facing difficulties in accessing essential medical treatment.
The hospital is responsible for providing healthcare services to a population of 356,152 across 11 unions and one municipality, comprising 87,824 families. However, a severe shortage of manpower has left the facility struggling to cope with the growing number of patients.
Established in 1978 in Chakai village of Sujalpur Union, beside the Dhaka-Panchagarh highway, the health complex was initially a 31-bed hospital. It was upgraded to a 50-bed facility in 2013, but its manpower structure has remained largely unchanged, leaving it operating with staffing levels intended for a 31-bed hospital.
Its location beside a major highway and proximity to neighboring upazilas have significantly increased patient inflow, further straining its limited resources.
The hospital has no peons or Medical and General Support Staff (MLSS), despite six such posts being allocated for a 31-bed facility. It also has no ayahs (ward attendants). Only four cleaners are available to maintain the 50-bed hospital.
Despite receiving national recognition for its normal delivery services, the hospital is unable to provide adequate Caesarean section and surgical services due to the absence of gynaecologists, anaesthesiologists and surgeons. Although its operation theatre (OT) is reportedly functional, surgical procedures remain disrupted because of the shortage of specialist doctors.
Consequently, pregnant women requiring Caesarean sections are referred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital. However, the delays and difficulties involved in transferring patients often compel families to seek treatment at private clinics in Birganj, where they reportedly face substantial medical expenses.
The shortage of specialists is also affecting emergency care. Located beside a busy highway, the hospital receives a considerable number of road accident victims but has no orthopaedic specialist. Its ultrasonography machine is also out of order, and no doctor is available to operate the service.
According to hospital sources, the 50-bed health complex, including its 10 union sub-centers, requires 43 doctors, including 12 consultant positions. However, only 13 doctors are currently in place, three of whom are working on deputation or attachment elsewhere.
The hospital also requires 35 third-class employees but has only 22, leaving 13 posts vacant. Furthermore, no separate fourth-class staff positions have been created for the upgraded 50-bed facility. Of the 21 fourth-class positions under the existing 31-bed staffing structure, only 13 are filled, leaving eight vacant.
Although the government appointed several doctors, including an orthopaedic specialist, in 2026, some of them are reportedly not providing services at the hospital.
Dr Md Monirul Islam, an orthopaedic specialist from the 30th BCS batch, has been working at Dinajpur General Hospital on deputation since joining the Birganj facility.
Similarly, Dr Md Mamunur Rashid, a cardiologist from the 32nd BCS batch, was appointed in January 2024. Since joining the health complex, he has reportedly been serving at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital through an attachment arrangement. Both doctors continue to draw their salaries from Birganj Upazila Health Complex.
The staffing crisis has taken a toll on patients and their families.
Abdur Rashid of Jhaljhali village in Palashbari Union said he admitted his father to the hospital early in the morning after he developed breathing difficulties. However, the absence of a cardiologist meant his father could not receive the specialised treatment he needed, forcing the family to take him to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital.
Shahinur Rahman of Bholanathpur village in Bhognagar Union said his wife had been admitted for a normal delivery but was still awaiting childbirth and suffering from considerable discomfort. He feared that he would eventually have to take her to a private clinic in Birganj town for a Caesarean section.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Harun Or Rashid said the hospital previously treated around 200 to 250 patients daily in its outpatient department. The number has now risen to 400–500 patients a day, largely because of the hospital's strategic location beside the highway.
He said the hospital previously accommodated around 40 to 50 admitted patients at a time, but the number has now increased to 70–80 daily, despite its official capacity of 50 beds. This has created severe pressure on available beds and other facilities.
Most patients are being treated for diarrhoea, pneumonia, respiratory complications and asthma. The hospital also receives road accident victims and patients suffering from various other illnesses.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Afroz Sultana Luna said the operation theatre was in good condition, but the ultrasonography machine was out of order.
She acknowledged the manpower shortage and stressed the urgent need for specialists in cardiology, gynaecology, surgery and orthopaedics to ensure proper healthcare services for the local population.
Against this backdrop, residents have called on Dinajpur-1 (Birganj-Kaharole) MP Alhaj Md Manjurul Islam Manju to intervene urgently.
They have urged the government and relevant authorities to take immediate steps to appoint the required specialist doctors and support staff, upgrade the hospital's manpower structure, and ensure uninterrupted delivery and surgical services.
Local residents say the hospital's infrastructure alone cannot guarantee quality healthcare unless adequate doctors, nurses and support personnel are appointed to meet the needs of its rapidly growing patient population.