The laparoscopy machine at the Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital has been lying unused for last two years and nine months depriving the locals from a laparoscopy surgery at a limited cost.
The machine which is generally used in surgeries to treat gallstones and ovarian cysts, was brought to the hospital three years ago.
However, there have been allegations that the hospital authorities later started lending it to private clinics for cutting extra profits.
Denying the allegation, Residential Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Shafiqul Islam said the machine could not be used as there were no physician to assist the senior consultant in doing surgeries.
One and a half years ago, an assistant to the senior surgery consultant, Dr Nadim, was transferred from this hospital. Since then the service for laparoscopy surgery had been discontinued at the only modern hospital in the region.
Although Dr Nadim rejoined the hospital three months back, he was placed at the emergency unit rather than the surgeries, said hospital sources.
Senior Surgery Consultant of the hospital Dr Md Moniruzzaman said: “I am always eager to do laparoscopy surgery. But the hospital authorities could not provide me with helping hands. It is a group work, it cannot be done alone.”
He alleged that they had to take help of the ward boys even during minor operations. The hospital also lacked experienced nurses.
A few years ago, at least four laparoscopy surgeries used to take place in a month in this hospital which was a great relief for the local poor people.
“The surgery costs Tk30,000 at private clinics but we are not being able to help the poor despite having the equipment,” he said.
Chapainawabganj Civil Surgeon Dr Mozahar Hossain said within one week the problem would be solved and the machine would be in use to treat poor people.
Everyday around 450 patients throng the outdoor unit of the hospital which was established in 1982. Around 250 patients avail services at the 100-bed indoor unit. l
