Doctor shortage cripples health services at Doarabazar

Doarabazar Upazila Health Complex

Sunamganj, April 25 -Healthcare services at the Doarabazar Upazila Health Complex in Sunamganj have come under severe strain due to a prolonged shortage of doctors, exposing systemic issues and raising concerns over the government's inability to address the crisis effectively.

Situated in a haor region, the government-run hospital is supposed to serve over 2.5 lakh residents across nine unions of the upazila, most of whom belong to low- and middle-income groups.

But, the persistent lack of doctors and essential medical supplies has left the hospital barely functional, with community medical officers now running much of the operations in the absence of appointed physicians, according to officials at the hospital.

Locals allege that irregularities and mismanagement during the tenure of the previous government have left long-lasting effects on the medical services of the facility.

Despite the upgrade of the health complex from a 31-bed to a 50-bed hospital in 2023, the expansion remains incomplete, and key departmental positions continue to lie vacant—effectively limiting the hospital's functioning to its original capacity, they said.

While the hospital has an operation theatre and a junior consultant in anaesthesiology, the absence of a gynaecology consultant has made caesarean deliveries impossible.

As a result, pregnant women from the remote region are compelled to travel to district or divisional hospitals in Sylhet, often at great financial cost and emotional distress.

Patients in need of urgent care are frequently referred to hospitals in the district town or Sylhet due to the non-availability of doctors at Doarabazar.

The situation is further exacerbated at the health complex’s Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) corner, which struggles with a shortage of essential medicines.

Many patients are left untreated or must purchase necessary medications from outside sources, which many cannot afford.

Despite an average of over 500 patients visiting the hospital daily, the chronic shortage of both doctors and support staff has left services severely disrupted.

The human resource crisis extends beyond medical personnel, said the officials wishing anonymity.

The post of cook has remained vacant for an extended period, and only one of five sweeper positions is currently filled. Of seven sanctioned midwife posts, only three are active, while all seven positions for office support staff remain unoccupied.

Though the hospital is equipped with X-ray and ultrasonography machines, these remain idle due to a lack of technicians and doctors.

Out of 25 sanctioned nurse posts, only 13 are currently serving—four of whom are enrolled in BSc Nursing programmes and are therefore unable to provide full-time service.

The hospital also lacks a dental technologist.

During a recent visit, several patients were seen admitted to the general wards with nurses attending, but no doctors were present.

One patient remarked that “most medicines must be purchased from outside” and that “doctors are rarely available”—a sentiment echoed by others at the facility.

Around a year ago, the situation deteriorated further when four key doctors, including the Residential Medical Officer (RMO), were transferred simultaneously.

The move left the hospital virtually doctorless and plunged its healthcare services into disarray.

Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Md Abu Salehin Khan said, “We have been repeatedly informing higher authorities about the situation.”

Despite repeated appeals, little progress has been made in resolving the crisis—leaving the people of Doarabazar in dire need of medical attention and with few places to turn. - UNB