JU medical centre plagued by a host of problems
The lone medical centre at Jahangirnagar University is facing various problems due to negligence and inadequate funds causing untold suffering to the resident students, teachers, officials and employees.
Sources said, the JU medical centre began its journey at Al-Beruni Hall with the opening of the university in 1971. Later it was shifted to the present spot, adjoining the JU Central Students' Union (Jucsu) building.
Since its opening, there has been no development of the medical centre, while a large number of students halls, teachers and officers quarters, and various academic buildings were built up.
The leading public university's endowment from the University Grants Commission keeps increasing, but the medical centre's developments remains neglected.
At present, the medical centre has nine doctors and two nurses, with an inventory of four beds and two ambulances to serve around 15,000 people. Equipment to treat patients in critical condition are inadequate. Emergency patients often suffer due to irregular ambulance service. Influential faculty members allegedly use the ambulances on and often for their personal activities.
Sources said the centre has one photo-electronic colour machine, a fridge, a microscope and a hot air machine. The steriliser went out of order several years ago. An X-ray machine at a corner has also worn out.
The centre's pathological lab conducted 18 categories of tests when it started off. Now it is restricted to 11 types of tests due to lack of adequate facilities.
The doctors at the centre cannot go for appropriate treatment due to the lack of equipment. Students are forced to take treatment outside as most of the time doctors stay out of the campus.
The pharmacy is also in a pitiable state as it supplies only 12-15 types of common medicines.
A source told this correspondent on condition of anonymity that a committee comprising one doctor and a number of influential teachers decides what medicines the pharmacy will buy and stock.
Most of the medicines are procured from unknown and small pharmacy stores instead of reputed suppliers, he said.
Because of this, students often prefer buying their medicine from outside, he added.
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