Healthcare services at Sreemangal Upazila Health Complex in Moulvibazar are being hampered severely due to a shortage of doctors and staff.
Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Synthia Tasmin said the hospital recorded 2,726 normal deliveries and 113 cesarean operations between January 2025 and March 2026—marking the highest number in its history. Despite the ongoing crisis, the facility currently ranks 11th among 490 upazila health complexes nationwide.
She further stated that although the hospital was upgraded from 31 to 50 beds in 2012, it is still operating with staffing allocated for a 31-bed facility. As a result, a lack of doctors, technicians, and support staff is hindering the delivery of quality healthcare services. At present, the hospital is functioning with a shortage of 77 personnel compared to the approved staffing structure.
Currently, the hospital has only one operational ambulance, managed by a single driver, whereas at least two ambulances and two drivers are required. Security is also minimal, with only one night guard responsible for the entire facility.
Hospital sources revealed that several key positions remain vacant, including 6 consultant posts, 5 medical officers, 4 assistant surgeons, and 7 senior staff nurses. Other critical vacancies include Resident Medical Officer (RMO), pharmacist, technologist, office staff, health assistants, ward boys, ayas, cooks, and cleaners.
Due to a shortage of technicians, essential diagnostic equipment such as X-ray, ECG, and ultrasonography machines have remained non-functional for nearly 18 years. Consequently, patients are forced to seek these services from private facilities at higher costs.
According to the 2022 census, Sreemangal has a population of 361,801 people, yet only 16 doctors are currently serving in the health complex. This means each doctor is responsible for approximately 22,612 patients, though there are 39 approved doctor positions.
Because of the physician shortage, doctors from union-level facilities are being assigned to cover emergency duties at the complex, disrupting primary healthcare services at the grassroots level.
In addition, there is a lack of essential medical equipment required for a 50-bed hospital, including blood pressure machines, stethoscopes, nebulizers, pulse oximeters, and oxygen concentrators.
Infrastructure issues further compound the problem. The old building suffers from poor construction quality, leading to water leakage during rainfall, which disrupts medical services. The facility also lacks adequate infrastructure for the elderly and persons with disabilities. Moreover, insufficient security personnel, lack of proper waste management, and shortage of cleaning staff are further affecting service quality.
Stakeholders emphasize the urgent need for renovation of the old emergency building and the completion of the third and fourth floors of the new building.
Dr Synthia Tasmin said, “Despite severe manpower shortages, we are trying our best to continue healthcare services. However, the lack of doctors, nurses, and cleaning staff remains the biggest challenge.”
Civil Surgeon of Moulvibazar, Dr Md Mamunur Rahman, said, “We are aware of the issues and have informed higher authorities in writing. Most hospitals in the district face similar challenges. We hope these problems will be resolved gradually.”