Shortage of physicians hampers healthcare at Dupchanchia

BOGURA, Aug 31: Healthcare at 50-bed Dupchanchia upazila health complex is being severely hampered due to shortage of physicians in Bogura for a long time.

Every day, a large number of patients come to the health complex to get outdoor service from the adjacent Adamdighi and Kahaloo upazilas of Bogura and Khetlal, Akkelpur, and Kalai upazila Joypurhat district.

Over 150 patients have been admitted against 50 beds. But lack of physicians is hampering the service. As a result the service is limping, causing untold suffering for the extremely poor patients.

The health complex was established at the upazila headquarter four decade ago to provide affordable healthcare services to the patients who are suffering from different diseases.

Sources said, some 11doctors against 27 are attending the patients against. Some 16 posts of doctors remains vacant for long time.

The patients are to pay extra cost for getting the expected service from nearby private diagnostic centre, said patient Juwel Hossain under Dupchanchia upazila.

Due to shortage of the adequate number of doctors, nurses and staff, the service is limping, causing serious problem for the low income people, said patient Nizam Uddin under Khetlal uapzila of Joypurhat.

During a recent visit this correspondent observed patients coming from different remote villages were not getting proper treatment. They are seen waiting in front of the private clinics across the upazila paying extra money.

A guardian Amzad Hossain said, he has admitted his ward in the health complex as he has been suffering from fever for seven days. Due to insufficient doctors, he is not getting proper treatment, he alleged.

Overall development of the hospital has come to a halt due to lack of X-ray machine and generator for many days, said authority concerned. Good number poor patients in the region are being deprived of modern and improved treatment at a low cost.

Civil Surgeon Gausul Azam Chudhury said, "I have sent letters several times to the higher authority seeking approval for post doctors to serve the patients."

"We are hoping to fill the vacant post within a month from 39th BCS," he added.

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