Crumbling buildings put lives at risk
Patuakhali's Baufal Upazila Health Complex is in a terrible shape due to the dilapidated four two-storey buildings of the complex, along with a lack of specialised physicians.
The risks are evident at the complex buildings with falling plaster, stuck-out rods from beams, and cracks on the ceiling. Meanwhile, employees have resorted to wearing helmets while on duty, fearing that debris from the ceiling could fall and cause injuries.
The roof leaks during rains while beds at the complex get wet, causing immense suffering to patients.
According to a source from the health complex, four buildings -- including three residential ones for doctors, nurses and other staffers -- were constructed in 1975.
And all these buildings are in a terrible state as those have not been repaired since then.
Although the number of beds at the complex was increased from 31 to 50 by constructing another three-storey building in 2013, it didn't improve the situation of the complex much.
The lack of space in the new building forced 31 beds to remain in the old one, leading to crowded conditions and further causing the building's deterioration.
The scarcity of specialised doctors is also concerning and worsens the complex's state, and as a result important surgeries can't often take place there, according to hospital sources.
They said obstetric surgery has been suspended at the complex for the absence of gynaecologists and anaesthetists, rendering the surgical equipment unusable over time.
The maternity surgery room has also been closed for almost five years because there aren't enough doctors.
Sources from the Upazila Health Complex said there are 22 positions for doctors in this 50-bed health centre, including the position for an upazila health and family planning officer, and 10 of those are currently vacant.
The anaesthetist hired at this health centre works at Patuakhali Medical College Hospital on deputation, and the last nine posts for doctors are still empty, including essential positions like paediatrics and gynaecology.
Abul Hossain, a resident of Konakdia village in Baufal who went to the complex for treatment recently, said, "The roof's plaster has fallen, and the rods are protruding... Accident can happen at any moment... We're afraid for our lives all the time. The buildings need renovations right away."
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Prashanto Kumar Saha acknowledged the risk and the crisis of doctors.
He said the issue had been reported to the Health Engineering Department (HED) several times in writing.
Contacted, Altaf Hossain, HED executive engineer in Patuakhali, said the issue has already been reported to the construction authorities. "Funds have been set aside to fix the complex buildings that were falling apart. I hope the repair works will start next month," he added.
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