Home ›› 14 Jun 2023 ›› Nation
About 20 lakh people in nine upazilas of Khulna are deprived of proper healthcare services due to a lack of doctors.
In the health complexes of these upazilas, only 27 out of the 84 posts of junior consultants are filled and four are part-time. Among these, the shortage of doctors is the most in four coastal upazilas.
In addition, there are allegations that most of the doctors do not perform their duties properly. They allegedly remain absent most days of the week.
The low and mid-income people of the rural areas are struggling to afford proper treatment as they cannot travel to the city often. The elderly, women and children are most affected by the lack of proper healthcare.
Khulna Divisional Health Director Dr Md Manjurul Murshid said the appointment of consultants is given by the Directorate General of Health Services.
“We have no jurisdiction over this. However, if there are proper complaints about neglect of duty by any doctors, proper action will be taken,” he added.
Koyra upazila is one of the most affected areas as it is farthest from Khulna city. Koyra Upazila Health Complex has 10 posts for junior consultants but only the gynaecologist and anaesthesia specialists’ posts are occupied. However, there are allegations that the gynaecologist has been neglecting her duties since joining.
C-section surgeries are only performed on Fridays and Saturdays, however, the situation becomes difficult for those who need emergency surgeries. Pediatric treatment is hard to receive and children are suffering due to it.
Aminul Islam, the founder of Youth Blood Group of Koyra Upazila, said many patients are suffering from the acute shortage of doctors in the area.
Koyra Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Rezaul Karim said the doctors are unable to perform surgery due to the lack of a general anaesthesia machine in the operation theatre.
Meanwhile, in Paikgasa upazila health complex, there is only one gynaecologist appointed against the post of 10 junior consultants.
Over three lakh people in 10 unions and a municipality are being deprived of healthcare because of this. Especially the emergency patients suffer due to this.
About two lakh people occupy nine unions and one municipality of Dakop upazila by the coast near the Sundarbans. Against the 10 posts of junior consultant in the upazila health complex, only gynaecology, orthopaedics and medicine specialists are serving.
The appointed anaesthesia specialist Dr Sheikh Aurangazeb Prince has been sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital. However, emergency surgery for pregnant women is available as there is a medical officer trained in anaesthesia.
Some two lakh people live in seven unions live in Botiaghata upazila. Surgery is unavailable due to the lack of an anaesthetist.
Upazila Family Planning Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said service activities are being disrupted due to the shortage of doctors.
About two lakh people live in five unions of Rupsha upazila. Against the 10 necessary posts of junior consultant, only gynaecology, medicine and paediatric specialists post are occupied.
Gynecologist Dr Mamuni Sultana consults patients three days a week and serves in Khulna General Hospital for the other three days. Anaesthetist Dr AFM Ashiqul Haque is currently serving at Khulna Medical College and Hospital.
Fultala upazila is in a similar situation with only gynaecology, medicine and paediatric specialists appointed. While emergency C-section surgeries are operated on sometimes, the 1.5 lakh residents of the upazila are still deprived of proper healthcare.
The previously appointed Orthopaedics Dr Md Imran and Ophthalmologist Dr Satyajit Mandal have been attached to Khulna General Hospital on full-time posting.
Terokhada upazila with more than 1.5 lakh people in six unions also has three out of ten posts occupied. The lack of a paediatrician is hampering the treatment of children.
Digholia upazila, however, has an appointed paediatrician along with medicine, gynaecology, surgery and anaesthesia specialist. But surgery is not performed due to the lack of an operation theatre.
Meanwhile, only medicine, surgery, gynaecology, paediatrics and anaesthesia specialists are serving in Dumuria upazila health complex which provides healthcare to 3.5 lakh people in 14 unions.
However, the locals allege that the doctors are absent from their posts most days a week.
In this regard, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Sheikh Sufian Rustum said, “We cannot provide enough space for all five of them to consult patients at the same time. But they are always on call.”
Dr Sujat Ahmed, Civil Surgeon of Khulna, said proper action will be taken if specific complaints of neglect of duty are received. He added that a list of vacant posts has been sent to higher authorities.
