Better services expected at CMCH after appointment of 378 nurses

Nursing shortage at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) has been minimised after the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare appointed 378 nurses to the hospital.

Earlier, a total of 474 nurses used to work at the hospital although it had 637 posts. Other posts remained vacant due to transfer and deputation of nursing professionals to other health facilities, said CMCH officials.

Moreover, the nurses had to work in three shifts, which means each shift got only 158 nurses while the 1,313-bed hospital has to handle over 2,500 patients every day.

Therefore, the government created 389 new posts at CMCH and finally appointed 378 nurses on December 15 last year, said CMCH officials. Now, the total number of nurses is 852 and each shift can get 284 of them.

The Daily Star on September 20 published a story highlighting the manpower shortage at the hospital.

“As per international standard, one nurse is required for every four patients. The previous ratio of patients and nurses at CMCH was 15:1. It will be possible now to provide a nurse for every eight patients, ” said Ratan Kumar Nath, general secretary of Chittagong divisional unit of Diploma Nurses' Association.

Dr Mrinal Kanti Das, head of Burn and Plastic Surgery unit of CMCH, said the unit, which has to deal with over 50 patients a day, got four more nurses after the new appointment, raising the total number to 14.

CMCH Director Brig Gen Jalal Uddin said they need around 1,500 nurses at present as nurses are required also in operating theatres, outdoor services, One Stop Crisis Centre, Family Planning Centre, and Aids Prevention Centre of the hospital. Therefore, they have taken the initiative to change the organogram of CMCH for adequate reqruitment.

Officials, doctors, nurses and patients at CMCH are expecting that the standard of services will now significantly improve.