The Chuadanga 50-bed headquarters hospital was upgraded to 100 beds in 2003. However, despite the increase in beds, the manpower is less than that. While there are 22 posts of first class doctors in the hospital, 21 have no permanent staff. Out of these nine posts, doctors have been appointed on temporary basis from other hospitals. There are no doctors in the remaining 13 posts. Several posts of Class II, III and IV are also vacant. Because of this, patients complain that they are not getting the desired service.
The patients who came for treatment said that due to the heat wave in Chuadanga, many people are suffering from various diseases including diarrhea, fever, cold and cough, pneumonia, shortness of breath and dehydration. But this 100-bed hospital is running with 50-bed manpower. Three to four times more patients are being admitted every day. They are deprived of health care due to shortage of manpower.
According to hospital sources, there are 22 approved posts of first class doctors in the hospital. Out of this 21 posts have no permanent manpower. However, three posts of Senior Consultant (Orthopedic & Surgery), Junior Consultant (Surgery), Junior Consultant (Orthopedic & Surgery), Medical Officer, Dental Surgeon, Medical Officer Homeo and Ayurvedic posts have been attached to other hospitals. There are vacancies for Senior Consultant Ophthalmology, Anaesthesia, Senior Consultant Pediatrics, Medicine and Junior Consultant ENT, Radiology and Medical Officer.
Kushtia Medical College Associate Professor (Surgery) Dr. Waliur Rahman Nayan has been attached to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital since 2016 as Senior Consultant. Besides, Junior Consultant (Cardiology) has been attached to Damurhuda Upazila Health Complex since 2014. Md. Abul Hossain and Junior Consultant (gynecology) Dr. Hosne Jari Tahmina. Alamdanga Upazila Health Complex is attached to Junior Consultant (Child). Md. Mahbubur Rahman Milon and Junior Consultant (Cardiology) Noore Alam Ashrafi. Sadar Upazila Health Copplex is connected to Dr. Md. Asadur Rahman Malik. Besides, three medical officers from Alamdanga Upazila and Sadar Upazila Health Complex have been attached to Sadar Hospital since 2019.
Besides, among the 67 posts of Class II, two posts of Nursing Supervisor are vacant. There are 54 posts of Senior Staff Nurse. Out of this, 51 posts do not have local manpower. The positions are filled with nurses from other hospitals. There are two posts of permanently appointed nurses. There is an empty term. There are 35 Class III manpower posts. This includes permanent manpower for the posts of Office Assistant, Health Educator and Medicine Technician (ECHO). The rest of the posts are filled with manpower from other hospitals.
Out of 148 Class IV posts, four have permanent staff. Besides, 11 posts are vacant. The rest of the posts are filled with manpower from other hospitals.
In this regard, the resident medical officer of Chuadanga Sadar Hospital Dr. Umm Farhana said, “Although it is a 100-bed hospital, it is running with 50-bed staff. Three-four times more patients are always admitted here as opposed to beds. The hospital authorities claim that despite the increase in the number of patients due to the heat wave, medicines are being supplied from the hospital. However, being a 100-bed hospital, the food demand of more admitted patients cannot be met. Food prepared for 100 beds is being distributed among the patients of the ward. Due to excessive heat, the patient has increased in a few days. Especially the number of patients in diarrhea and children wards has increased. Patients are being served with the amount of manpower available in the hospital. If the manpower is increased, it would be convenient to provide the service. The hospital has enough saline and medicine. They are being provided to the patients.’
