Only one doctor is working in Kuakata Hospital, much to the suffering of patients. The 20-bed hospital has been facing a shortage of doctors since its opening in 2010, although it is the only hospital in the area.

The health department built the hospital on three acres of land in 2007 at a cost of around Tk five crore.

The hospital is a two-storeyed building having an operating theatre with modern equipment, diagnostic laboratory, and residential quarters for doctors, nurses and other employees.

Though the hospital is well-equipped, patients are deprived of proper treatment due to a lack of doctors and nurses as only five people, including a doctor, are working there, whereas there are 23 posts in all, said Abdul Barek Mollah, mayor of  Kuakata municipality.

Other working staff are the head assistant cum-accountant, office assistant-cum data entry operator, a ward boy and a lab assistant, while the other 18 posts are vacant.

"Patients have to go to Kalapara upazila town for treatment, which is very unfortunate," the mayor said.

Md Ali Hossain of Mohipur village said it is unfortunate for patients that there is only one doctor here, though there are supposed to be five.

Md Jakir Hossain, a patient, said everything is okay, but the hospital lacks manpower.

Contacted, Abdul Mannan, health and family planning officer of Kalapara, said they run the hospital by appointing a doctor for additional duty, but that is not enough to serve the people.

We have informed the higher authorities about the matter and asked them to take steps, he added.