Treatment at 171 community clinics in six upazilas of the district is badly hampered as supply of government medicines has remained stopped for two months.

Of the 171 community clinics, 38 are in Sadar upazila, 39 in Shailakupa, 23 in Harinakundo, 11 in Kotchandpur, 33 in Moheshpur and 27 in Kaliganj upazila, said sources at the civil surgeon's office.

The then Awami league government initiated the Community Health Clinic Project in 1998 but its function stopped in 2001 after the BNP-led government came to power.

Later in 2009, the newly elected Awami League government resumed its function, facilitating easy treatment opportunity for the poor people, especially in remote areas.

In addition to prescriptions, patients are provided 29 items of medicine free of cost from the community clinics.

But since early October, supply of government sponsored medicines to the 171 community clinics in the district has remained suspended.

"Poor patients like me are suffering as we are not getting any medicine from the clinic for two months," said Rahima Khatun of Paikpara village under Kaliganj upazila.

Especially the diarrhoea, dysentery, and gastric patients are in great trouble due to lack of medicine, said Golam Rasul of Sadhuhati village in Sadar upazila.

Asma Khatun, Aleya Begum and Abdur Rashid echoed the same.

"Now we are providing only prescription to the patients as there is no supply of medicines here," said Asma Aktar, health care provider of Shakharidah community clinic in Harinakundo upazila.

Dr Abdus Salam, civil surgeon of Jhenidah, said he has contacted the higher authorities to resume the medicine supply soon.