Only one doctor is serving at the 50-bed Amtali Upazila Hospital in Barguna as 20, out of 21 posts for physicians, have been lying vacant for long.

Two health sub-centres in the upazila were closed due to lack of doctors.

The upazila hospital was upgraded to a 50-bed one from 31-bed on January 27 in 2008 and the number of doctors was increased to 21 from 14. The hospital also got a new four- storey building recently with modern facilities.

"I am the only doctor serving at the hospital and I have to do also administrative work," said upazila health and family planning officer Dr M A Matin.

A doctor was called last week closing the Kukua health sub-centre to provide service in the hospital, Dr Matin said. Another sub-centre in Gazipur Bazar remained closed for several weeks due to lack of doctors, he added.

Doctors should be appointed at the hospital immediately in the interest of local patients, he said, adding that he sent several letters to the higher authorities in this regard, but in vain.

Over 200 outdoor patients come to the hospital daily while over 50 are staying there, Dr Matin said.

Deputy Assistant Community Medical Officer Dr Johanul Islam, who earlier worked at Kukua health sub-centre, said it is difficult to provide services by him as he is the only one serving doctor at the hospital.

The number of patients is decreasing daily as many are to go back for lack of service.

Golam Rabbi, 40, of Chila village said he came to the hospital on Sunday noon with injuries sustained in a road accident, but had to return without treatment for lack of doctors.

Rabbi said later he had to travel 32 kilometres to Patuakhali General Hospital for treatment.

Amena Begum, 62, of Gazipur village who has been suffering from fever for several weeks said

She had to return from the hospital twice without treatment as there was a crisis of doctor. Amena said she could not afford to go to another hospital for treatment as she is very poor.