RAJBARI, Jan 13: Two mother and child welfare centres in the district are not coming of any use for mothers and children.
Deputy Director (DD) of District Family Planning Office SM Kamal said, one centre is in Berabhanga area in Sadar Upazila and another one in Pangsha area at Kolimohor Union.
Till 2016 the Sadar centre remained running with mother and child services. But after the transfer of its gynaecological female doctor, the mother healthcare service was suspended. This has been lying suspended for the last 10 years.
On 2016, a male doctor was posted to the centre. Since then mothers have been going to private clinics for treatment as they can't tell their maternity problems to him.
Medical Officer of Rajbari Mother and Child Welfare Centre Rony Chandra said, since 2016 one gynaecology post and one anaesthesia post have been lying vacant. That is why mothers' caesarean operation is not possible, he added.
DD said, 55 inspectors were supposed to be in 42 family welfare centres in 42 unions of the district; but there are only 23 inspectors.
Due to lack of logistics supports, mothers and children are deprived of healthcare services including pregnancy time service, check-up, and delivery.
Shumi Aktar was taken to the 250-bed Government Modern Hospital in Sadar for caesarean operation. But she did not get treatment in it. Her admission could not be possible in private Adarsha Clinic and Rajbari Clinic. Later on, her baby was operated in Ratan Clinic at Tk 15,000.
Lapping her baby one Rabeya Begum, 20, said, she has been mother at early age; she can't tell her reasons of sickness to the male doctor.
Locals demanded ensuring mother and child care services in the 10-bed Mother and Child Welfare Centre and promoting it to 100-bed one.
In the last 20 years, this centre only provided some advice and few medicines to pregnant mothers.
Medicines including diazepam and zinc are not available in the centre.
