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Local resident Faruk Hossain said, “Since its inception, this hospital has never been fully staffed. As a result, the people of the area have always been deprived of healthcare.”

The hospital, inaugurated on February 25, 2012, has been chronically short-staffed ever since. At times, there were only two physicians and sometimes just one, as many doctors were unwilling to settle in the small town.

Earlier this year, Dr Sayem Poonam left on a two-month training programme in April, leaving the facility doctorless. Even though Dr Supriya Das joined later, her transfer last month has pushed the hospital back into crisis.

Al Amin, 45, a resident of Bahamkanda village near the hospital, was admitted with fever on September 30. However, as there was no doctor available, he did not receive any treatment and had to get admitted to Kalapara Upazila Health Complex on October 2.

“There is no doctor at the hospital. We have to come to the upazila town for treatment, which increases our expenses and causes suffering,” he said.

Patuakhali Civil Surgeon Dr Khaledur Rahman Mia said almost all hospitals and health complexes in the district are suffering from a shortage of doctors.

“We have already informed the higher authorities several times, and they have assured us that the vacant posts will be filled soon,” he said.