Sowmetrow Sumon, Payra Port (Patuakhali)

Medical services in Kalapara 50-bed Hospital in Patuakhali has been hampered due to shortage of manpower and patients are being deprived of proper medical services at Kuakata 20-bed Hospital and Mahipur Sub-health Centre is also facing the same problems.

It has been seen on the spot that on an average of 300-350 patients come to seek medical care in the Kalapara hospital outpatient department. Only 3-4 doctors cannot provide medical care to this amount of patients during their office hoursPatients are forced to visit after office hours and take medical care outside the chamber. As a result there is no end to the suffering of the poor patients. Similarly, the pressure of admitted patients is also very high.

While visiting this hospital in Upazila Sadar, it is seen that the number of admitted patients is more than the number of beds. Only 11 doctors are working in Kuakata and Mahipur along with Kalapara upazila headquarters. The upazila health administrator has to be busy with administrative work most of the time.

Among them, a doctor is sent to Patuakhali. But 36 people have the post of doctor. In Kalapara upazila headquarters, only four doctors are treating 3 to 350 patients daily in the outpatient department. So that it is not possible to give a maximum of 5 minutes to each patient. The emergency department has to struggle to handle the shortage of doctors. Similarly 76 posts of employees are vacant. There is no end to the problem. Cleaning work has to be done by outsourcing manpower. The same is the case with Kuakata Hospital.

Officially, the hospital has the opportunity to conduct numerous tests including Typhoid, Hepatitis B-C, Pregnancy, Kidney, Jaundice, Sickles, AIDS virus, X-ray, Diabetic. But patients complain that some doctors refer them to clinics of their choice for tests. However, patients are getting some medicines for free. But since June this year, patients are being deprived of medical services due to non-supply of some essential medicine contractors for pathological tests. Patients complain about cleanliness of hospital bathroom-toilet. Some nurse-midwives, cleaners have been heard of misbehavior with patients.

Enta complained about the quality of food for patients. Parveen, a patient admitted to the women's ward, said that she was admitted four days ago. Some medicines are available from the hospital. Had to buy from outside. He said, bread and a banana were given in the morning. At night and in the afternoon, one boiled egg is given, cooked with potato broth. That's how it goes most days. However, the cook told about cooking chicken in the boiler at noon.

Kalapara Hospital Resident Medical Officer JH Khan Leylin said that the contractor has been warned many times about the quality of food. Said to take action again. He said that apart from Kalapara upazila, numerous patients from nearby Amtali, Taltali and Rangabali upazilas are constantly receiving medical treatment in this hospital. Due to the shortage of doctors, we are also suffering. Demand to fill the vacancies of doctors and employees here on an urgent basis.

He also said that the big problem of the hospital is the lack of three-phase electricity connection. Due to single phase connection, it is subject to load shedding. Even if there is a generator, it is not always possible to provide electricity, there is financial crisis. And due to power problems it became impossible to control the quality and store the vaccine properly.