BARISHAL, July 23: A total of four medical assistant training schools (MATS) in the district cannot be opened due to manpower crisis.
These MATS have been built by the Health Engineering Department (HED).
Of them, the construction of the school in Agailjhara Upazila was completed on June 30; but it was not handed over.
Executive Engineer of the HED-Barishal said, "We tried to maintain quality of work in our construction; we also maintained zero tolerance; and we are ready to hand over the school like other three ones."
Each school included a structure of 114 students capacity having electricity sub-station, dormitories, principals Bhabans, and cots for security guards.
Necessary manpower for the schools in Babuganj, Agailjhara, Gabkhan, and Daulatkhan upazilas have been granted. But their academic activities have been uncertain.
Each of these institutions is supposed to produce 50 trained medical assistants yearly; and they will work in ensuring primary healthcare for people in towns and villages.
Divisional Director of the Department of Health Dr Shyamol Krishna Mandal said, these four MATS are under Health Education and Family Planning departments.
But in the absence of field-level representatives, Civil Surgeon office is bound to take up these MATS as the ministry representative.
"We have nothing to do," he added.
If the MATS are launched, these will make very positive role in the healthcare services.
More than one physician and people of different professions gave their nod in favour of appointing manpower on an adhoc basis.
These MATS structures were constructed at Tk 123.78 crore.
