Nine Khulna upazila health complexes in poor health

Nine upazila health complexes in the district are limping with manifold problems, including acute shortage of doctors and staff, much to the sufferings of the patients.
The health complexes in Rupsha, Terokhada, Phultala, Dumuria, Batiaghata, Digholia, Paikgachha, Koyra and Dakope upazilas comprising around seven lakh people, are running without any resident medical officers and consultants for long.
A total of 353 posts of 1st and 3rd class staffs are lying vacant, against 1486 posts in the health complexes, said sources.
The ambulances often go out of order.
Amid the prevailing situation, a large number of patients, most of them women and children, are deprived of medical treatment at the hospitals.
Those who come to the hospitals seeking treatment for delivery cases and other complicated diseases like hepatitis-B are facing multiple complexities.
They are being compelled to receive treatment at higher cost at different clinics and hospitals either in the district or other places.
Many critical patients have reportedly died on way to the distant hospitals and clinics.
During a recent visit to Phultala Upazila Health Complex, this correspondent found Aleya Begum, 33, of Jugnipasha village, who came here with severe gynecological problem, returning home without treatment for want of physicians.
Three other patients -- Saleha, 28, Arpita Das, 32, and Kamrun Nahar, 26, -- said they did not get proper treatment at the hospital.
This correspondent also visited Dumuria and Batiaghata upazila health complexes which are beset with similar problems.
The patients often fail to get necessary medicines as these are allegedly sold to outside pharmacies. Substandard foods are served to the patients, alleged the treatment seekers at the health complexes.
Admitting the acute shortage of doctors, staff and other logistics, acting Civil Surgeon Dr Yasmin Ali Sarder said, "We have already informed the higher authorities about the matter."