Patients suffer for want of docs, staff in Khulna hospitals

KHULNA, Feb 17 (UNB): People in the district are being deprived of proper health services due to shortage of doctors, nurses and other necessary facilities in the government hospitals.

The pregnant women have to come to district headquarters for treatment as there is no gynaecologist and anesthesia doctor in the upazila level government hospitals.

Though the district and upazila health officials are sending reports to the higher authorities every month informing them of the doctor shortage but no necessary measures have yet been taken in this regard.

According to the monthly report of Civil Sargon Office, among 308 posts, 126 are lying vacant in 17 government hospitals and health complexes for various reasons.

Paikgachha upazila health complex's health officer went on retirement last Sunday. Besides, Phultala and Dumuria upazila health officers were sent for training.

As per the report, 20 posts of doctors are lying vacant in Koira upazila health complex, 26 posts in Paikgacha upazila, 23 posts in Dakope upazila, 28 posts in Dumuria upazila, 18 posts in Rupsha upazila, 28 in Terokhada upazila, 18 posts in Dighalia upazila, 14 posts in Phultala upazila, nine posts at Contagious Diseases Hospital and one post each in Khalispur Urban Dispensary and Tutpara Urban Dispensary in the city.

Dacop upazila health officer Dr. Mozzamel Haque told the news agency that they are facing trouble to handle a large number of patients as many of them come from other upazilas including Rampal, Paikgachha and Batiaghata.

"Everyday 120 to 130 patients take treatment from the outdoor unit of the hospital. Medicine shortage is also a big problem," he said.

Paikgachha upazila health officer Dr. Provat Kumar Das said they are facing great problem in serving pregnant women due to shortage of gynaecologists. Khulna Civil Sargon Dr. ASM Abdur Rajjak said they informed the higher authorities of the severe shortage of doctors but yet to get any response