Dumuria Upazila Health Complex faces myriad problems

S M Aminul Islam, Khulna

Dumuria Upazila Health Complex of the district is facing myriad problems including a shortage of doctors and medical staff. As a result, thousands of local people are being deprived of proper health care.

Due to a lack of technicians, treatment at the pathology department often remains off. The ambulance does not run as the post of the driver is vacant. Besides, as there is no ramp in the staircase, the emergency patients have to be taken inside on a stretcher.

According to hospital sources, about 700 patients are treated daily in the outpatient department of this 50-bed hospital. There are 268 sanctioned posts at the hospital to treat these patients. Out of which there are 39 posts in the first class including doctors. But out of 39 posts, 17 posts including orthopedics, skin and sex, cardiology, eye, ENT, UHC, and dental are vacant.

Besides, there are 268 sanctioned posts, including 30 in the second class, 180 in the third class and 19 in the fourth class. Among them, 91 posts, including 17 in the first class, 64 in the third class, and 10 in the fourth class are vacant. As a result, medical services are being disrupted. Many times patients from different places have to go back without getting the desired service.

Sixty-year-old Karim Morol came to the hospital from Ranai Village in the upazila for treatment. He said that the doctor advised him ultrasound and X-ray tests. But these tests are no longer being done in the hospital, said the pathology department. So he is forced to go to private diagnostic center.

Md. Afsar Ali Sheikh of Bamundia Village died on August 1 last while undergoing treatment at the hospital. His relatives tried to take the body home in the hospital ambulance. But the hospital informed him that the post of the driver is vacant.

On the other hand, the hospital has upgraded from 31 beds to 50 beds recently. In this connection, a three-storied building was constructed at a cost of Tk 8,99,28,510 to increase the patient capacity. The ground floor of the building houses the outdoor department, the first floor the pathology department, and the second floor the children’s, women’s, and men’s wards. After the hospital authority received the new building last January, they are providing all services from there. However, there is no ramp in the building to take patients up. As a result, the patients have to be taken to the upper floors on a stretcher. In this connection, the patients and their relatives have to suffer a lot.

Anisuzzaman brought his wife Nazma Begum, 45, to the hospital from Bamundia Village in an emergency. He said that he had to take her to the second floor in his arms.

Mirazul Islam, a ward boy of the hospital, said that patients with various diseases including road accidents come regularly. But since there is no ramp, it is difficult to take them up. As the stairs are narrow, the stretcher often gets stuck in the bends.

Health and Family Planning Officer (Acting) and Junior Consultant of Dumuria Upazila Health Complex Dr. Arafat Mahumd said, “It is not possible to provide proper services due to manpower shortage. It is important to appoint required manpower to these important posts.”

Sub Assistant Engineer of the Department of Public Health and Engineering in the district Md. Sohel said, “There was no ramp in the design. However, there is room for elevators. But if the building is not at least four floors, the lift is not allowed. However, an alternative way should be found.”