We are concerned about the state of union-level health and family welfare centres across the Habiganj district. According to a report, many of these centres are operating with just one or two staff members, far below the government-mandated minimum of 10 personnel per centre. For instance, the Health and Family Welfare Centre in Chaumuhani union of Madhabpur upazila is struggling with a significant manpower shortage, serving approximately 40,000 residents with just one family welfare inspector. Sadly, not just in Habiganj, but the shortage of staff is a persistent issue in rural healthcare facilities across Bangladesh.

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We must be bold with health sector reforms

Over the years, this daily has repeatedly highlighted the challenges facing rural health centres, including upazila health complexes and union-level facilities. These centres, which offer free medical services, are frequently undermined by shortages of doctors, nurses, technicians, and medicines. In Habiganj, the health centres play a vital role in promoting normal childbirth, an essential alternative to the rising number of C-sections at private clinics. In 2022, these centres performed 8,737 normal deliveries, increasing slightly to 8,816 in 2023. However, only 2,161 deliveries have been recorded last year, which highlights the deteriorating staff crisis, among other reasons. Roksana Akhter, the lone family welfare inspector at the Chaumuhani centre, points out that even having one additional staff member could significantly improve patient care, especially for women seeking childbirth services.

In Habiganj, the health centres play a vital role in promoting normal childbirth, an essential alternative to the rising number of C-sections at private clinics. In 2022, these centres performed 8,737 normal deliveries, increasing slightly to 8,816 in 2023. However, only 2,161 deliveries have been recorded last year, which highlights the deteriorating staff crisis, among other reasons.

To address this crisis, the government's approach to the primary healthcare sector must change. It must urgently recruit adequate medical personnel for rural healthcare facilities. Equally important is ensuring that doctors posted in remote areas remain at their stations, which requires addressing the lack of basic facilities and incentives in these regions. Poor governance, which has allowed such dysfunction to persist, must also be tackled to improve service delivery for rural populations.

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A health complex in dire need of doctors

The challenges in rural healthcare are part of the broader malaise afflicting the health sector, which has long been plagued by corruption and irregularities. A complete overhaul of the whole sector is thus overdue. It is encouraging that the government has established a health reform commission to address various systemic issues. We hope the commission delivers a sustainable reform roadmap to bring accountability and efficiency to the health sector, ensuring that rural healthcare facilities receive the attention and resources they deserve.