Half of patients leave Barisal hospital

Patients have started leaving Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal city thinking that they would not get proper treatment due to shortage of doctors during Eid.

Besides, some patients alleged that they were discharged without completing treatment.

While visiting the hospital, this correspondent found that almost half of the patients have already left till yesterday.

Murad Ahamed, one of the patients of surgery ward, said he was released although his treatment was not completed.

Another patient Abdur Rab Howlader, who was admitted to the ward with head injury two days ago, echoed him.

Hanufa Begum, a patient of female surgery ward, who also expressed the same concern, said, “I have been staying at the hospital for three weeks and I will not leave because my condition is critical.”

Dr SM Sirajul Islam, director of the hospital, said generally 1,800 to 2,000 patients stay at the hospital during other times but now the figure is 1,093.

Denying the allegation, he said, “I think no problem will arise in giving medical care to patients.”

Some 103 doctors out of 156 would be on duty during Eid, he said.

They are not releasing serious patients but the less serious ones who can be cured with care at home, he further said.

“Generally patients do not want to stay at any hospital during Eid. They want to go home -- it's a common feature,” he added.