Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society has urged the government to appoint orthopaedicians at district-level hospitals as the patient load at the capital’s National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) Hospital had risen significantly over the last few years.
Professor Dr Abdul Gani Molla, secretary general of Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society, made the demand at the society’s annual conference in the capital on Saturday night. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim attended the event as the chief guest.
Professor Molla also informed that more than 266,276 accident and trauma patients were admitted to the Nitor hospital in the last two years (2012-13), where 138,410 were admitted and 31,509 were operated.
Praising the government for creating more than four hundred posts for orthopaedic doctors, he also urged the government to take necessary steps to appoint them at district-level hospitals.
Mollah also informed that in 2012, the number of outdoor patients at Nitor hospital were 130,667, of which some 21,000 were admitted and 5,994 patients were operated.
“In 2013, the number of outdoor patients increased to 135,609, of which 117,410 were admitted. Among the admitted patients, 25,515 were operated,” he added.
Accident and trauma patients from across the country are compelled to come to Nitor in the capital as most district-level hospitals lack good orthopaedic facilities.
“It is very unfortunate that few orthopaedic surgeons leave public hospitals during duty hours and perform surgeries at private hospitals,” Abdul Awal Rizvi, president of Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society and a former director of Nitor hospital, told the conference.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim urged the orthopaedic doctors to carry out their duties more efficiently. “I will do everything possible for promotion, post creation and appointment for the doctors, but they need to be more serious about their responsibilities,” the minister said.
Nasim further said: “Every doctor must stay at his/her duty station, as posted, for the certain period (two years). I will not entertain any recommendations or requests, no matter whoever he/she is. I will not tolerate corruption. If any doctor is attacked, inform me, I will stand beside you. But my only request to you is to carry out your duties properly.”
The conference was also addressed by State Minister for Health Zahid Malik, State Minister of Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan, Health Secretary MM Niazuddin, Bangladesh Medical Association Secretary General Professor M Iqbal Arslan, Nitor Director Professor Dr Hamidur Rahman, and Dr RR Koiry, among others.
