Aminul Islam, Kishoreganj

Some 450,000 people across one municipality and nine unions in Katiadi Upazila in Kishorganj have been facing lack of long awaited modern medical facilities.

Additionally, expanding services at local health centers is a pressing demand from the community.

The upazila has a 50-bed Upazila Health Complex, four sub-health centers, and 41 community clinics to serve its population. However, these health centers are facing a significant shortage of personnel.

The 50-bed Upazila Health Complex is the only hope for the upazila’s residents seeking quality medical services, but most positions for specialist doctors and medical technologists remain vacant. The hospital authorities stated that although the health complex was recently upgraded from 50 to 100 beds, the administrative approval for this expansion has not yet been granted. Even the operations of the previous 50-bed complex are hampered by staff shortages.

According to sources at the Upazila Health Complex, the post for Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer is currently vacant due to maternity leave. Among the vacant positions, the post for Residential Medical Officer remains unfilled. While the Junior Consultant for Anesthesia is on deputation to a hospital in the capital, the post for Junior Consultant in Surgery is vacant. The only Junior Consultant in Medicine has been transferred to the National Gastro Liver Institute, and no doctors are available for Junior Consultant in Gynecology and Obstetrics. Moreover, the appointed Junior Consultant for Pediatrics is on deputation to Sylhet's M.A.G. Osmani Medical College.

Additional vacant medical positions include 1 post for Junior Consultant in Orthopedics, 1 in Cardiology, 1 in Ophthalmology, 1 in ENT, 1 in Dermatology and Venereology, 2 posts for Assistant Surgeon, 1 Medical Officer, and 1 Assistant Dental Surgeon. Out of 31 first-class doctor posts, 14 are vacant. Besides, there is a shortage of 59 personnel across 39 critical positions.

During a visit to Katiadi Upazila Health Complex, it was observed that the facility is equipped with medical equipment worth millions of takas. However, the state-of-the-art operation theatre (OT) remains unused due to the absence of anesthesiologists and surgery specialists. Though Cesarean section operations had begun, they have since been halted due to the lack of consultants and surgery specialists.

Due to the absence of a radiologist, the modern digital X-ray machine is non-operational. Despite the presence of a well-equipped pathology department, it remains locked due to a lack of medical technologists. Consequently, expensive government equipment lies unused while patients are deprived of the expected services. For essential medical tests, most patients are forced to visit private clinics or diagnostic centers.

Several patients at the hospital expressed frustration. Many reported not receiving the expected services, leaving the hospital in despair due to the lack of specialist doctors or the unavailability of essential medicines.

Bajlur Rashid, a resident of Mosua, shared that he had come to the hospital with stomach issues. Upon seeking help at the emergency department, he was advised to visit a hospital in the district town due to the shortage of doctors.

Similarly, 70-year-old Jamela Khatun, suffering from asthma and breathing issues, was given nebulization at the emergency department but was later referred to Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College in the district town for further treatment.

Regarding the shortage of personnel, acting Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Mohammad Isha Khan mentioned that the issue has been reported to the Ministry of Health and the Civil Surgeon’s Office. Letters have been sent, and necessary actions are expected from their side.