MOHSIN MILON, Benapole

A newly-built Tk 38 crore facility at Chowgachha Upazila Health Complex in Jashore remains largely unused for lack of approval, even as patients continue to crowd the corridors of the existing 50-bed hospital.

Although a six-storey building expanded the health complex from 50 to 100 beds in 2023, the authorities have yet to receive official approval to operate it fully.

Around 1,000 to 1,250 patients receive treatment at the outpatient department every day. Many of them come from neighbouring upazilas, including Moheshpur, Jhikargachha, Kotchandpur, Kaliganj, Sharsha, and Jashore Sadar.

Hospital authorities said staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure and lack of rest facilities for them are affecting healthcare services.

Only 24 of the 32 sanctioned doctor posts are currently filled. Several key posts, including ENT specialist, dermatologist, orthopaedic surgeon, assistant surgeon and pathologist, have remained vacant for years. There is no ultrasonologist, while many health assistant posts also remain vacant.

Of the 221 sanctioned posts for officials and employees, only 134 are filled. The post of resident medical officer is vacant, while only one midwife is working against eight approved posts. All four medical technologist (pharmacist) posts are also vacant.

As a result, many patients leave without proper treatment, while others are referred to Jashore General Hospital. The understaffed pathology department also forces many patients to rely on private diagnostic centres for tests.

Mozammel Haque from Singhjuli village said he had been waiting for over two hours for his blood test report.

“I cannot afford to get the test done at a private clinic,” he said.

Dr Suraiya Parvin, an emergency medical officer, said she handles gynaecology and obstetrics cases while also performing ultrasonography.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Md Ahsanul Mizan Rumi said the facility had repeatedly sought approval from the relevant authorities but received no response.

“Without administrative approval, there is no allocation for furniture, staff or budget,” he said.

Jashore Civil Surgeon Masud Khan said they recently wrote to the ministry about the shortages and were seeking approval to begin operations.