FAKIRHAT, BAGERHAT, May 18: Rural healthcare in Fakirhat Upazila of Bagerhat has been severely affected as all 16 operational community clinics are running in risky and dilapidated buildings, while medicine supply has remained suspended for nearly nine months.
Locals and health sources said, primary healthcare services in the upazila have virtually collapsed due to lack of medicines, unsafe infrastructure, water crisis, non-functional toilets and manpower shortage.
According to the 2022 census, Fakirhat has a population of around 159,000, with nearly 90 per cent dependent on rural healthcare services. Community clinics serve as the first point of care, especially for women, children, elderly people and low-income groups.
According to Health Office sources, there are 17 community clinics in eight unions of the upazila, but one (Bhabna Community Clinic) has remained closed due to staff shortage. The remaining 16 clinics are officially operated by one Community Health Care Provider (CHCP) each, along with scheduled visits by family welfare assistants and health assistants. However, locals allege irregular attendance of staff in many centres.
According to data from the Upazila Health Complex, all 16 operating clinics have been marked as structurally risky-three high-risk, five medium-risk and eight general-risk facilities. High-risk clinics include Shuvadia, Hochla and Foltita community clinics, where services are being delivered despite dangerous building conditions.
Sources said, the clinics are supposed to receive 22 types of essential medicines, but no supply has arrived since August 2025 allocation, forcing health workers to provide only consultation without medicines.
A recent visit to Hochla Community Clinic found patients being treated inside a deteriorating building with cracked walls, a leaning structure, rusted fittings and an unusable toilet. Despite the unsafe condition, patients and staff were seen continuing services.
Patients from different villages arrived from early morning. CHCP Jannatul Meowa checked blood pressure and provided advice, but had to inform patients that no medicines were available, leaving many disappointed.
"I walked for about half an hour while feeling unwell. Earlier we used to get free medicines here. Now only advice is given, and we are sent back," said Sonia Begum from Bailtoli village.
Another patient, Azim Sheikh of Hochla, said villagers are now forced to buy medicines from outside at higher costs, putting pressure on their already strained incomes.
CHCP Jannatul Meowa said the last medicine supply was received on September 7, 2025, against the August allocation. "Since then, no medicines have arrived. We can only provide advice," she said, adding that patient numbers have dropped significantly from 40-50 to 10-15 per day. She also said CHCP staff have not received salaries for the past five and a half months.
Upazila Health Complex Sanitary Inspector Debjar Mitra said most community clinics in the upazila are facing similar conditions.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Md Asaduzzaman Sagar said medicine shortages, infrastructure risks and declining service quality have reduced patient turnout to less than one-third, forcing many to seek treatment at the upazila health complex at higher cost and distance.
Bagerhat Civil Surgeon Dr ASM Mahbubul Alam said medicine supply issues are not limited to Fakirhat alone. "Health workers are trying to provide services within limitations. Medicines will be supplied once government stocks are available," he added.
