Siraj Al Masud, Tangail

Due to various irregularities, negligence of officials and manpower shortage, about 4 million people in the district are being deprived of modern health services at Tangail Medical College Hospital.

Despite modern equipment and adequate facilities, patients who come from far away to seek medical services are constantly facing difficulties.

It is learnt that the Tangail Medical College Hospital, which started construction in 2014, was handed over to the appropriate authorities by the Public Works Department in 2022. Initially, the emergency department, outdoor and indoor departments, outpatient departments, internal medicine departments and medicine departments were opened, but the hospital authorities could not open other departments that were more important due to the manpower shortage.

Although pathology, X-ray, and ultrasonogram were introduced in the field of diagnosis and examination, it could not be implemented according to demand due to the shortage of necessary manpower and technicians. The intensive care unit (ICU) of this modern medical college hospital is still inoperative due to the manpower shortage. Modern equipment purchased with crores of taka with public money is not of any use in healthcare. As a result, the hospital authorities have repeatedly failed to ensure modern healthcare.

Although pathology, X-ray, and ultrasonogram services are available at Tangail Medical College Hospital from 9 am to 2 pm, patients have to rely on private clinics for various tests later. And clinic owners are taking advantage of this opportunity and making crores of taka.

On the spot, it can be seen that due to manpower shortage and lack of supervision, clinic representatives have been seen illegally entering the Medical College Hospital and collecting blood by telling patients various things. There are not enough trolleys and wheelchair men to carry seriously ill patients. Relatives of many patients have complained that those who have been appointed through outsourcing are demanding money after carrying patients.

There are no doctors in any department, including the emergency department. Patients coming from different upazilas to seek medical care have complained that those who do are not providing proper medical services. Patients coming from Madhupur upazila to seek medical care
Patient Kulsum Begum said, "I have been sitting here since morning, but there is no doctor. The door is closed. We have come from such a distance, but we have been sitting here for hours and still can't find a doctor."

Ansar member Masud Rana said, according to the structure and operations of Tangail Medical College Hospital, 150 Ansar members are required for security. However, only 30 Ansar members are working in three shifts. As a result, the number of robbers, drug addicts and clinic representatives is increasing day by day.

Hospital authorities said, Tangail Medical College Hospital has a requirement of 200 doctors, 300 nurses, 60 technicians, and 680 cleaners, but 359 are working. In addition, there is a state-of-the-art intensive care unit ambulance for transporting emergency patients, but it has been closed for a long time due to lack of a driver. The director of Tangail Medical College Hospital believes that a car should be allocated, especially against the director's post, to expedite administrative activities.

Abdul Quddus, Director of Tangail Medical College Hospital, said, "We have a massive manpower crisis. There are 65 km of highways in Tangail district. Major accidents happen from time to time. In addition, due to manpower crisis in various epidemics including measles, we are repeatedly failing to provide the desired services. If we can overcome the manpower crisis, the quality of services will increase manifold."

Recently, the government has appointed members of parliament from the respective constituencies as presidents of various medical colleges, hospitals and general hospitals. Considering such a decision taken by the government as positive, the 4 million common people of Tangail have once again filled their chests with hope. They hope that soon all obstacles will be overcome and healthcare will reach the people's doorstep. Harassment in the name of treatment will stop and desired healthcare will be ensured.