Bagmara (Rajshahi) Correspondent:
Bagmara Upazila Health Complex in Rajshahi has been suffering from a manpower crisis for a long time. Doctors working here are struggling to provide treatment due to the manpower crisis.
On Monday (September 8), at around 10:30 am, when I went to the Upazila Health Complex, I saw that a sweeper, who was hired through outsourcing instead of a peon, was sitting in the doctor’s room and giving out cereal to patients. After investigating, it was learned that although there were supposed to be 24 fourth-class employees (peons, ayahs, ward boys) in this 50-bed hospital, only 4 were working. All the remaining posts are vacant. In addition, although there were supposed to be 3 office assistants, those posts are also lying vacant.
As a result, doctors are forced to continue their medical activities amidst various irregularities and crises. As a result, patients who come for treatment are being deprived of proper service.
Several patients including Fazlur Rahman, Josna Begum, Shahidul Islam and Momena Begum, who came to the health complex for treatment, complained that the peon is supposed to be in charge of the doctor’s door, but the work is being done by a sweeper. The patients and their relatives have expressed their anger over this. They have sought the intervention of higher authorities of the government to ensure healthcare through the rapid recruitment of manpower.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Md. Shafiullah Newaz expressed reluctance to provide information to the newsmen in this regard. However, during the conversation, he admitted the issue of manpower shortage. He said, “A lot has been written about the hospital, but to no avail. The government will not recruit manpower now. He even mentioned that he is bearing personal expenses in running various activities of the hospital.
When asked about the manpower shortage and the quality of healthcare, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mahbubul Islam said that the matter will be investigated and further action will be taken after talking to the District Civil Surgeon and the Deputy Commissioner.