Health care at Biswanath needs a little care
Health care services at Biswanath upazila health complex are being hampered due to lack of necessary medical equipment and shortage of manpower much to the woes and worries of patients, especially the poor ones.
The 31-bed medical centre was built five kilometers away from the upazila Sadar at Kadipur under Rampasha union in 1984.
Sources said 54 posts, out of 117 at the health complex, remained vacant since long. The vacant posts included medical officer, surgeon, anesthetist, dental surgeon, accountant, storekeeper, cashier, office assistants, medical assistants, nursing supervisor, health assistants and assistant health inspectors.
The generator of the hospital is lying out of order for about a decade. Two out of three ambulances also remained out of order for long.
Hospital sources said the doctors perform surgery in candle lights when the electricity is off.
Locals alleged that doctors do not come timely and regularly in the hospital as most of them are engaged in private practice.
"Although the doctors have staff quarters at the hospital, they do not live there. As a result, the patients suffer much and often depend on quack doctors," said a local leader.
Rahima Begum, a patient at the health complex, alleged that doctors visited her only once in the last three days.
Locals alleged that poor patients have to look for treatment elsewhere as they do not get the doctors at the hospital timely. They are also compelled to buy medicines from outside at higher prices.
Contacted, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Hekmat Ali told the news agency that he informed the higher authorities to take necessary measures to solve the problems at the health complex.
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