Doctor, nurse shortage affecting ICU care
An acute shortage of doctors, nurses, and other health workers, specially trained for handling critical patients, has been badly affecting the quality of service in intensive care units across the country, said speakers at a workshop yesterday.
They made the remarks at "Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Situational Analysis of Critical Care Health Workforce in Bangladesh", organised by public health and informatics department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University at their premises.
Despite this shortage, the absence of an organogram in the government health service has left many such doctors unassigned to the ICUs, the speakers added.
To overcome the situation effectively, stakeholders unanimously stressed the urgency of creating more critical care medicine specialists, anesthesiologists, and other health workers.
Due to the shortage of anesthesiologists, surgeons, and gynaecologists in many district-level hospitals [often] cannot perform surgeries. Many hospitals have ICUs but they do not have proper oxygen supplies. Such hospitals should be shut down.
Prof Md Atiqul Haque, dean of Faculty of Medicine at BSMMU, shared his experience on his visit to the ICUs and HDUs at different medical colleges and district hospitals.
"What we have seen is frustrating. There is an acute shortage of qualified doctors, including anesthesiologists, everywhere. Besides, many ICUs and HDUs were below standard."
He called for urgent action from policymakers to overcome the challenges.
"Covid-19 has shown our vulnerability in the critical care arrangement. Although the problem cannot be solved overnight, we should have an action plan considering future health emergencies," added Atiqul.
Covid-19 has shown our vulnerability in the critical care arrangement. Although the problem cannot be solved overnight, we should have an action plan considering future health emergencies.
Speaking as chief guest, BSMMU Vice Chancellor Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed said, "Due to the shortage of anesthesiologists, surgeons, and gynaecologists in many district-level hospitals [often] cannot perform surgeries."
He also said there are many hospitals that have ICUs but do not have proper oxygen supplies. "If so, such hospitals should be shut down," he asserted.
He also stressed the need for strengthening the healthcare sector.
Officials from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directorate General of Medical Education, World Health Organization and other institutions attended the event.
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