Doctor Shortage, Broken X-Ray Cripple Chuadanga Hospital
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Medical services are disrupted at the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex in Chuadanga due to a shortage of doctors, a broken X-ray machine, and a manpower crisis.
Although doctors are listed on paper, two key specialists are absent from their duty stations, causing daily suffering for thousands of patients from Jibannagar and Moheshpur Upazila.
According to hospital sources, 13 out of 31 authorized physician positions are vacant. Among the filled positions, the junior consultant (Gynecology) and junior consultant (Medicine) are serving on deputation at other institutions, shutting down specialist care in these two departments.
There is also a severe shortage of fourth-class employees; eight out of 21 authorized staff members for cleaning and patient care are working elsewhere on deputation, which hinders both hospital cleanliness and daily administrative tasks.
Patients complain that even for minor complications, they are referred to the Jessore 250-bed General Hospital because of the doctor shortage. A lack of beds forces many patients to receive treatment while lying on the floor.
Because the hospital’s X-ray machine has been broken for a long time, patients must pay extra at private clinics or diagnostic centers, causing the most hardship for the poor.
Locals are demanding that authorities urgently recruit doctors and staff, repair the X-ray machine, and increase the number of hospital beds to ensure healthcare for this border Upazila.
Jibannagar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Fahmida Akter Runa told Agamir Somoy that she recently joined the hospital and has identified the issues. She already informed authorities about filling the vacancies and repairing the broken equipment.
