Services limping at Bandarban hospitals

BANDARBAN, Apr 19 (UNB): Medical services at the seven upazila health complexes in the district are being seriously hampered due to an acute shortage of staff, including doctors and nurses.

According to a survey, there is one doctor against 3,700 patients at the hospitals, one bed against 1,115 patients and one nurse against 6,300 patients. Health department sources said there are 108 sanctioned posts of doctors in the seven hospitals of the district but only 33 doctors are working there while the number of health assistants appointed there is 134.

Even there is no ambulance in anyone of the hospitals. Besides, in the Family Planning Department, there are 10 officials and employees, instead of required 17.

A total of 246 people are working at the hospitals as general staff instead of 273 posts sanctioned. Dr. Mongtej, civil surgeon of the district, said though Bandarban General Hospital has been elevated to an 100-bed one, it is running with 50-bed facilities.