Health service limps due to manpower shortage

Medical service for nearly 18 lakh people in Bagerhat is limping amid severe manpower crisis.

The 100-bed government hospital has been running with less than half of its required manpower for long.

As a result, thousands of patients of different upazilas of the district and nearby areas are being deprived of desired health service.

On the other hand, the hospital authorities are also struggling to provide treatment to a large number of service seekers.

Hospital sources said apart from 18 lakh inhabitants of the district, fishermen, bawalis (honey collectors) and forest dwellers from the Sundarbans come to this hospital for treatment.

According to Bagerhat Civil Surgeon's Office, the hospital started its journey in 1970 with 50 beds in Muniganj area of the town.

Although the hospital was later upgraded to 100-bed in 1997, it has been running with the same number of manpower for the last 27 years.

Currently, two doctors are working against 12 posts at the hospital, while seven out of 12 posts of consultants are lying vacant for long.

Adnan Hossain, resident medical officer at the hospital, said people are being deprived of healthcare as there is a crisis of doctors.

Service seekers said due to shortage of doctors at the hospital many patients are compel to go to different others district for treatment.

Besides, posts of a nursing supervisor, a health educator, 20 medical technologists, two cardiographers, four assistant nurses and an office assistant also lying vacant.

Bagerhat Civil Surgeon Jalal Uddin Ahmed said he has informed the authorities concerned about the crisis of doctors at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital and hope the matter will be solved soon.