Koyra women deprived of maternal healthcare

Women of Khulna’s Koyra upazila are deprived of maternal healthcare due to negligence of the gynaecologist at the Upazila Health Complex.

Locals allege the recently appointed junior consultant Dr Fatema Zohra remains absent from work over 20 days a month. The pregnant and otherwise sick women of the upazila are constantly deprived of medical services due to her negligence.

According to hospital sources, the post of junior consultant (Gyn) was vacant for several years in Koyra Upazila Health Complex. Dr Fatema Zohra was appointed for the post on December 6, 2022.

However, Dr Fatema returned to Khulna City after joining the post. She was transferred to Khulna Sadar Hospital on December 29 for unexplained reasons.

The transfer was later cancelled by Khulna Civil Surgeon Dr Sujat Ahmed on January 30 in the face of the demands of the conscious community. Dr Fatema rejoined Koyra Upazila Health Complex on February 4, 2023.

However, the gynaecologist still lives in the city after her reposting and only visits the Upazila Health Complex 8-10 days a month to consult patients. Allegedly, the doctor regularly receives patients at her private chamber in Khulna City.

Dr Fatema only consults a few patients in the outdoor department of the Upazila Health Complex. It is known that she has not been at the health complex for more than three days in any week since rejoining.

In regards to the allegations, Dr Fatema Zohra said, she takes patients three days a week at the upazila health complex and the civil surgeon sits for consultation the other three days.

“I go there as much as I am required. Sometimes I take days off. I cannot stay there due to a lack of proper housing. So I have to travel back and forth,” she said.

She told the correspondent to contact the civil surgeon in regard to further questions.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Rezaul Karim said, “Because of the lack of accommodation in the hospital, we are forced to accept the irregular presence of the specialists. However, the doctor has been given verbal warning several times.”

In this regard, Civil Surgeon Dr Sujat Ahmed said, “The consultant should take their responsibility seriously. She should be held accountable if she does not perform her duties properly. She will be urged to work regularly.”

Khulna Divisional Director (Health) Dr Md Manjurul Murshid said action will be taken subject to investigation if a written complaint is received

“I have not attached any gynaecologist from the upazila level to the district hospitals and also discouraged the civil surgeons in this regard,” he said.

Patients continue to suffer

Meanwhile, at least 15 - 20 pregnant women require C-sections every week in Koyra, but none received the required treatment. The pregnant women have to go to the district town to receive emergency medical care.

Due to high transport and treatment costs, many take the risk of home delivery or visiting substandard clinics without having any childbirth experts nearby. Newborn and maternal death cases are rising in the area due to this reason.

A local woman, Sharmin said she failed to catch the doctor at the upazila health complex several times.

“I have extreme abdominal pain during menstruation, but there are no good gynaecology specialists in the upazila. I cannot afford to visit a doctor in the city centre. So I have to bear with the pain,” she said.

Shahnara Khatun, another patient, said that she has been at the upazila health complex for several days seeking consultation from a gynaecologist. But she did not receive any treatment as the doctor is absent from duty.

Recently, Jahidul and Najma lost their newborn during a home birth. They could not afford to visit a private clinic and the gynaecologist was not present at the upazila health complex.