RAJBARI, June 3: The deteriorating healthcare situation at Rajbari Sadar Hospital came under discussion as Member of Parliament (Reserved Women's Seat-337) Nurnun Nisa Siddika met doctors and hospital officials and assured steps to address the acute shortage of physicians.
The MP visited the hospital on Tuesday afternoon and held an exchange of views with Civil Surgeon Dr SM Masud, Medical Officer (CS) Dr Mohammad Sohail Sheikh, and senior consultants including Surgeon Dr Rajib Dey Sarkar, along with other doctors, nurses, and health workers.
During the meeting, the Civil Surgeon said the hospital was previously a 100-bed facility until 2025, but has recently been upgraded to 250 beds under the current government. However, he noted that services are still being operated based on 100-bed capacity due to shortages of doctors, nurses, manpower, beds, and furniture. As a result, the newly constructed eight-storey building is not yet fully functional.
Dr Masud further said the hospital serves not only Rajbari district but also patients from neighbouring areas, including parts of Pabna and Faridpur, due to its location along the Padma River and highway connectivity, making it a key facility for accident victims and emergency care.
He, however, expressed concern over the acute manpower crisis, stating that although the hospital should have 10 specialist posts under the 100-bed structure, currently none are in place. Out of 42 sanctioned doctor posts, only four are filled. Of 12 junior specialist posts, only four doctors are serving.
He also highlighted critical shortages in support services, including only one driver for four ambulances and a single technician operating X-ray machines, while others remain out of order.
"In such a situation, when the hospital itself is suffering from a shortage of doctors, how can it provide proper treatment to patients?" he questioned.
The MP listened to the concerns and assured that urgent steps would be taken to address the crisis. She said she would request the authorities concerned to appoint specialists in surgery, medicine, orthopaedics, ENT, cardiology, pathology, radiology, ophthalmology, gynaecology, dermatology, and venereology on an urgent basis.
After the meeting, she visited different wards of the hospital and inquired about patients' condition.
Specialist physician Yunus Ali Mollah was also present and took part in the discussions.
