Rangpur: Rush of patients, manpower shortage and unplanned development in the previous fallen government exert a serious effect on Rangpur Medical College and Hospital (RpMCH), disrupting quality medical services. Failing of proper medicare put hundreds of patients of the hospital on dissatisfaction even after 54 years of its establishment for nearly two crore people in the northern region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, insufficient manpower, lack of beds, and scarce supply of medicines against the demand are impacting the overall activities of the hospital. Unplanned development work accomplished by the deposed Awami League government has further exacerbated these issues. Additionally, unsanitary conditions, unusable toilets, and foul-smelling environments, along with the audacity of brokers and syndicates, are also responsible for hampering medical services at RpMCH.
Administrative officer Md. Chhaiful Islam explained that while the hospital expanded from a 250-bed facility in 1976 to a 1000-b
ed hospital over three phases, there was no corresponding increase in manpower. Currently, RpMCH operates with 1,680 employees out of the 1,981 designated for 500 beds in 1986. The current staff includes 235 doctors, 1,026 nurses, and other essential personnel. Despite having 42 wards, including a modern CCU and other specialized units, the hospital struggles to meet the demand, forcing many patients to receive treatment on the floor or in surrounding corridors.
Patients report being compelled to purchase most medicines from outside the hospital due to insufficient hospital supplies. Many also have to resort to private diagnostic centers for tests not available at RpMCH, incurring additional costs. Personal accounts from patients like Rita Rani and Shaheen Alam highlight the lack of adequate attention from medical staff and the burden of purchasing necessary medicines and services externally.
The hospital’s conditions have led to dissatisfaction and frustration among patients and their families, who complai
n about doctor negligence and the need for immediate improvements in staffing and cleanliness. Dr. Sarkar Moniruzzaman emphasized the challenges in maintaining cleanliness due to a severe shortage of cleaning staff. Additionally, issues such as the lack of a central store-cum-office building complicate the storage and safety of hospital supplies.
Further complicating the situation is the influence of a syndicate led by Ashikur Rahman Nayan, which has dominated activities such as food and medicine supply for years. Although Nayan’s influence appears to have waned, his affiliates still control many hospital operations, creating an environment where staff are reluctant to speak out.
RpMCH’s Deputy Director Dr. Md Akhteruzzaman acknowledged informing higher authorities about these challenges and expressed hope for improvements under the leadership of newly appointed Director Brigadier General Ashikur Rahman. Despite the constraints, the hospital continues to serve approximately 800 to 1,000 new patients daily i
n the emergency department, with about 3,000 receiving outpatient services. Efforts are being made to meet medicine demands from existing allocations, though the situation remains challenging.