Rajshahi: Three times more patients are receiving treatment in various hospitals than their designed capacities across the division, which consists of eight districts. This significant surge in patient numbers has been putting immense pressure on the healthcare facilities in the region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), the largest healthcare facility in the northwest region, has been accommodating more than three times its capacity of patients throughout the year. RMCH, a 1,200-bed hospital, often caters to over 5,000 patients despite a long-standing shortage of manpower. Similar situations are reported in other district-level health facilities within the division, including 59 Upazila Health Complexes that are also facing a shortage of doctors.
Official sources indicate that there are 6,520 beds available in government hospitals across the division. However, during a recent visit to RMCH, it was observed that many patients were being treated on floors and corridors due to a lack of available beds, with the pressure being particularly high in the medicine wards.
The 250-bed Chapainawabganj General Hospital has seen infrastructural developments, but service quality has not matched the increasing demand, resulting in a persistent bed crisis. Emergency cases are often transferred to RMCH for more comprehensive treatment.
Dr. Masud Parvej, Superintendent of the hospital, stated that approximately 2,000 patients receive outdoor treatment daily. Regular surgeries in orthopaedics, eye, nose, ear, and throat specialties are conducted, but acute shortages of manpower and medical instruments persist. Despite these challenges, the hospital staff is committed to providing better services.
In the 250-bed Naogaon General Hospital, facilities and resources are available for only 100 patients due to a 30 percent manpower shortage. Dr. Zahid Nazrul, the Hospital Superintendent, revealed that despite the hospital’s launch in 2021 with a full patient admission rate, there are less than 40 percent of the required doctors. However, the hospital manages to provide health services, with 80 percent of admitted patients recovering and being discharged.
In the division, there are 94 ICU beds across tertiary and secondary hospitals, yet 44 of these remain non-functional due to manpower shortages. This has resulted in RMCH and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital (SZMC) in Bogura struggling to manage additional patients, leaving emergency cases without timely services.
Dr. Habibur Rahman, Divisional Director of Health, acknowledged the bed and manpower crisis affecting all hospitals and expressed hope for a resolution soon, following communication with higher authorities.