Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital: Once a place of hope, now in a shambles

Moulvibazar District Sadar Hospital used to be a place of hope for the people of tea gardens and haor areas.

Locals regarded it as one of the best facilities for maternal health in the division.

However, the hospital is now in a dilapidated state due to the authorities' negligence, leaving around 2.2 million people in the district deprived of proper healthcare. A shortage of doctors and technologists further adds to the menace.

A total of 44 posts at the 250-bed hospital have remained vacant for a long period, including that of 16 specialist doctors for surgery, anaesthesia, ophthalmology, gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics and cardiology.

Diagnostic services are being disrupted due to poorly functioning equipment as patients are able to only get ultrasonograms, ECG, and four to five blood tests done at the hospital.

Four posts of nursing officer, 16 posts of Grade II and III and eight posts of Grade IV employees are vacant. The hospital has only 37 doctors out of 53 posts. As a result, not all patients receive treatment.

Zulekha Bibi, a patient, said a doctor prescribed her tests and medicines and asked her to get those done from clinics outside.

"I am a poor woman. I don't even have enough to return home now," said Zulekha, who ran out of money after completing the suggested tests.

Patients also complained about the facility's hygiene, and expressed annoyance over the menace of brokers.

"The unhygienic and dirty environment in and outside the hospital make visits to it a nightmare. There is a constant stench in the wards," said Mubarak Mia of Kulaura upazila's Hajipur area.

Visiting the facility recently, this correspondent observed several non-functional diagnostic machines. A lack of pathology reagents, the only lift in the hospital being out of order, and untidy wards and cabins further exacerbated the patients' sufferings.

Many were seen returning home without treatment after having to wait for hours in the outpatient department.

"Patients are getting X-rays done from elsewhere as the machine in the hospital is malfunctioning," said medical technologist Birendra Chandra.

The negligence, misbehaviour, and poor treatment by some nurses and staff is appalling, said Abdul Motalib of Rajanagar upazila.

"We don't really want to come here until we run out of options," he added.

Residential Medical Officer Dr Ahmad Faisal Zaman said, "If the vacant doctor posts are filled, we can enhance our outpatient services."

"Some special tests cannot be performed due to the lack of reagents and budget. We have informed the matter to the higher authorities," he added.

Acknowledging the issues, Dr Binendu Bhowmick, acting superintendent of the hospital, said, "We are doing our best to improve the hospital. However, the shortage of staff, doctors, and equipment is not just adding to the patients' suffering, but also burdening us with work."

"I hope the authorities will address the issue soon and take necessary steps," he added.