Barguna General Hospital, the district’s main government-run healthcare facility serving nearly 12 lakh people, has long been grappling with an acute shortage of doctors.
Only 15 doctors are currently posted at the 250-bed hospital against 81 sanctioned posts, according to hospital sources.
Of the 55 posts for medical officers, 47 are vacant, while only two doctors are working against 17 sanctioned posts for consultants and specialist physicians.
The shortage has severely disrupted healthcare services at the hospital, with patients often referred to hospitals in Barishal or Dhaka even for relatively minor complications, while many necessary surgical procedures remain largely unavailable.
Reshma Akter, a relative of a maternity patient, said, “Emergency maternity patients are also often referred elsewhere because there is no gynaecology specialist. This puts the lives of critically ill patients at risk.”
Harun Ar Rashid Hawladar, vice-president of Barguna District Health Rights Forum, called for the prompt appointment of doctors to the vacant posts.
According to hospital authorities, more than 600 patients receive treatment at the outpatient department (OPD) on average every day, while over 350 patients are admitted to the hospital daily.
Dr Tajkia Siddiquah, resident surgeon at the hospital, said a doctor at the OPD has to examine 150-200 patients a day under the present circumstances.
“With such an enormous workload, it is not possible to provide enough time to each patient,” she said.
Dr Mahmud Murshid Al Mamun, resident medical officer (RMO) at the hospital, said the facility was upgraded from a 100-bed hospital to a 250-bed one in 2010, but the necessary doctors and other manpower were not appointed accordingly.
“We have already informed the higher authorities regarding the manpower shortage in writing,” he said.
Barguna Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Fattah said, “We send reports to the health ministry every month seeking the immediate posting of doctors to the vacant positions.”
Dr Lokman Hakim, divisional health director in Barishal, said the crisis would no longer persist once new doctors were appointed.
