Kalapara: The 50-bed Kalapara Upazila Health Complex in Patuakhali district is grappling with multiple crises, resulting in significant disruptions to its medical services.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, patients are increasingly being deprived of proper medical attention, with numerous complaints emerging regarding the quality of food, cleanliness, and hygiene within the facility. On average, the health complex sees 300-350 patients daily in its outdoor department, but only three to four doctors are available to attend to them, leading to inadequate medical services.
The shortage of doctors has forced many patients to seek medical attention at physicians' private chambers, exacerbating the plight of the poor and helpless. The hospital also struggles to manage the high number of admitted patients, as the number exceeds available beds. Currently, only 11 doctors serve in the upazila headquarters, inclusive of Kuakata and Mahipur, despite there being 36 sanctioned physician posts.
The upazila health administrator is often preoccupied with administrative duties, and one doctor is on deputation to Patuakhali, further straining resources. The emergency department is particularly hard hit by the doctor shortage, and there are 76 vacant employee positions, indicating a persistent problem.
JH Khan Lelin, the Resident Medical Officer of the Kalapara Upazila Health Complex, noted that the facility also caters to numerous patients from neighboring Amtoli, Taltoli, and Rangabali Upazilas. He emphasized the urgent need to address the physician shortage and mentioned that contractors have been repeatedly warned about the food quality, with action pending.
Cleaning tasks are outsourced, and while the hospital offers various low-cost tests, patients allege that some doctors direct them to preferred clinics for these tests. Although some medicines are provided free of charge, since June last year, patients have been deprived of essential medicines for pathological tests due to contractor failures.
Complaints about the hospital's bathroom cleanliness and staff behavior have been noted. Reports of substandard food quality are widespread, with patients receiving minimal and repetitive meals. A patient in the women's ward described receiving limited hospital-provided medicine and having to purchase additional supplies externally. She reported being served bread and a banana in the morning, with a boiled egg and potatoes for lunch and dinner, a pattern repeated most days.