A major fracture in Ctg's healthcare

Out of order X-ray machines at most health complexes in Chattogram have left low-income people of the district in the soup.

Treatment of numerous health conditions and accidents, particularly bone fractures, get delayed and become costly, as they are left with no option but to go to private diagnostic centres.

At least 11 out of 14 upazila healthcare facilities in Chattogram district have no functional X-ray machines, according to sources at the district civil surgeon's office.

Rupal Barua, a 55-year-old farmer in Patiya upazila, recently had a fall while working and hurt his right leg. His family rushed him to the local health complex where doctors told him to have an X-ray done.

As the machine in the government-run hospital was broken down, the poor farmer had to go to a diagnostic centre.

A patient needs to pay Tk 70 for an X-ray at upazila health complexes, whereas the cost shoots up to between Tk 300 and Tk 1,200 at private diagnostic centres.

Sona Nath, 60, who had been suffering from cough and respiratory problems for several months, went through similar hassles. His daughter-in-law Tapati Nath said, “I took my father-in-law to the health complex borrowing money from a neighbour. An X-ray at a cheaper rate inside the health complex would have helped us greatly.”

Hosne Ara, 35, had broken her hip in a stampede while collecting zakat money at Ghatiadanga village in Satkania upazila in May. When she went to Satkania Upazila Health Complex, doctors there could not assess the gravity of her injuries immediately as the X-ray machine was not working, Hosne Ara, who lives on alms, claimed.

During visits and inquiries to several upazila healthcare facilities, this correspondent came to know about out-of-order X-ray machines in Patiya, Rangunia, Satkania, Fatikchhari, Chandanaish, Hathazari, Mirsarai, Raozan, Anwara, Boalkhali, and Sitakunda.

The machines have been lying idle for one to three years, sources there said.

Abu Yousuf Md Wahid Ullah, health and family planning officer at Patiya Upazila Health Complex, said the X-ray machine at their facility broke down two years ago.

“We have asked the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) several times to replace it. Chittagong Civil Surgeon is also aware of the matter,” he told this correspondent.

Mominur Rahman, health and family planning officer at Rangunia Upazila Health Complex, said not only patients but also doctors face difficulties due to the machines being broken.

“We cannot provide proper treatment to patients with fractures. So, we refer them to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital,” he said, adding, “We asked the DGHS for a new X-ray machine several months ago but received no response.”

“Many of these machines are old, and are not maintained,” he said, about why so many of them in other upazilas as well as his might have gone out of order.

Medical Officer Tuli Dutta of Anwara Upazila Health Complex told The Daily Star that the X-ray machine in the hospital went out of order some four years back. “We corresponded through proper channels to get a new one almost a year ago, but have not received any response,” she said.

Chattogram Civil Surgeon Azizur Rahman Siddiqui said X-ray machine problems were common in most upazilas across the country.

He, however, said the issues in Chattogram had been raised at several meetings with the DGHS. Citing assurance from the government, he said, “Some machines might be imported soon. I hope we will get the required number of machines once the consignment arrives.”