Kaliganj health complex in Jhenidah in poor health

Patients do not get proper treatment and medicines due to lack of doctors and hospital staff  at Kaliganj Health Complex, alleged the deprived patients.

Patients have to go to a private pathology for getting an X-ray done, they added.

The modern building of the hospital was established at a cost of Tk 4 crore during the tenure of the past BNP government. Though the hospital was developed to a 50-bed from 31-bed and opened by a former state minister for health on September 2, 2006, it has not started functioning properly as yet. 

The lone X-ray machine is lying unused because it has not been repaired for long. Its quality is not so good, office sources said.

The health complex takes only Tk 55 for a small X-ray while a pathology centre charges Tk 150. Similarly, a full size X-ray costs Tk 70 in the hospital while it costs Tk 500/700 in the private pathology centres, patients alleged.

The lone X-ray machine at the hospital lies idle as it has not been repaired for long. Photo: Star

Besides, some employees and doctors of Kaliganj local health complex have been shifted to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital on deputation, ignoring the needs of the upazila hospital.

Hospital sources said there are 14 doctors against 21 posts, of whom three have been to Kushtia on deputation and two to Jhenidah.

Besides, one doctor is on maternity leave while the ENT doctor has been on leave abroad for two years. The surgeon hardly comes to the hospital, said an official of the hospital.

Obaidul Islam, a  compounder, has been sent on deputation to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital. Night guard Akkaj Ali does the work of the compounder.

Night guard Biplob Hossain, sweeper Nayan Hossain, ward boy Rawshan Ali have been sent to Jhenidah on deputation. 

The patients stand in a long line for medicine as there is only one pharmacists in the hospital.

Though there is an ultrasonography machine in the hospital, the only operator has been sent to Kushtia on deputation.

There is no ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, eye specialist or skin specialist in the hospital, office sources said.

Asma Khatun told this correspondent that she came to the hospital for getting an X-ray done, but the lone X-ray machine is out of order.

Another patient, Roksana Parveen, said she came to the hospital for her ear ache but the doctor concerned ENT is out of the country. The authority is nonchalant in this regard, she added.

Thana Health Administrator Abdur Rahman of Kaliganj Health Complex said it is tough for them to run the hospital with a small number of doctors. "Most of the doctors and employees have been posted on deputation in Jhenidah Sadar Hospital and Kushtia Sadar Hospital. We are trying to render service but shortage of doctors, staff and equipment is hampering proper treatment," he added.

Civil surgeon Dr Abdus Salam of Jhenidah said he is trying to appoint doctors at Kaliganj Health complex as soon as possible. The X-ray machine will be repaired soon, he added.