One doctor for 10 rly dispensaries!

Only one doctor is attending to patients in ten dispensaries of the Bangladesh Railways East Zone, visiting each dispensary every 15 to 20 days.

The dispensaries are in Kulaura, Sylhet, Akhaura, Bhairab Bazar, Mymensingh, Sayestaganj, Dewanganj, Jamalpur, Keotkhali and Chhatakbazar.

A senior BR official, seeking anonymity, said the staff of 18 to 20 railway stations take treatment from each dispensary. 

The Kulaura dispensary is running with seven posts vacant against 19 posts, including those of assistant surgeon, wound dresser, ward attendant, patients' maid and sweeper.

Kulaura railway dispensary was inaugurated in 1948. The staff of 18 railway stations -- Chakapan, Baramchal, Vatera, Longla, Tilagaon, Monu, Shahbajpur, Muraul, Barlekha, Kathaltoli, Dakhinvag, Juri, Shamsernagor, Vanugach, Sreemangal, Sathgaon and Rashidpur -- get treatment from the Kulaura dispensary.

“Patients do not get proper treatment there, and sometimes they are asked to wait for many days. As a result, patients with serious illnesses go to other hospitals,” said Jasim Uddin, a relative of a patient.

Sujon Mia, a patient, said, “Where should I go now for my operation? The nurse said they are helpless as they do not have logistic support to conduct an operation.”

Muhaimin Milton, elderly man from Rashidpur area in Habiganj, was taken back home from the hospital yesterday as he could not get treatment due to the lack of doctors.

“I admitted my father to the railway dispensary in the hope of getting proper treatment, but it was a wrong decision,” said the patient's son Munir.

Joynal Mia, 56, a patient from Baramchal rail station area said, “Only one nurse provides treatment and support, and no doctor came to see me. I don't know how I can get treatment here.”

Mousumi Begum, 50, a patient, said patients are crying out to get proper treatment from the government dispensary as they are poor and get treatment free of cost there.

Assistant Surgeon Dr Ayubur Rahman Khan said he is the lone doctor for ten railway dispensaries. He added, “I'm alone, and also have to run the offices. Is it possible for me to do everything?”

“I conduct treatment of outpatients with the help of a pharmacist,” Ayubur said.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of BR East Zone Dr Md Shahjahan knows about this matter, he added.

Doctors do not like to work in this department because of lack of career development opportunities, Ayubur said.

Dr Shahjahan said the process is going on to appoint 12 more doctors in December.