14 doctor posts vacant at Sreepur health complex

SREEPUR, GAZIPUR, Nov 4: Healthcare services at the 50-bed Sreepur Upazila Health Complex in Gazipur are being disrupted by a shortage of doctors, with 14 posts lying vacant, including that of a gynaecologist.

The shortage has left thousands of patients struggling to get treatment at the government facility, particularly women and expectant mothers who need specialised care.

Around 20 lakh people live in Sreepur, an industrial hub where the health complex is a major source of medical services for low-income families.

According to hospital sources, more than 1,500 patients visit its outpatient department every day, while over 600 require diagnostic tests. A doctor has to attend to more than 200 patients daily, resulting in long queues and delays in treatment.

Many patients return without receiving medical attention after waiting for hours, sources said.

The absence of a gynaecologist has forced many women to seek treatment at private clinics in nearby areas, increasing their medical expenses and exposing some to improper treatment.

Sohag Bhandari of Bhangnahati Village said he took his wife to the health complex but could not arrange treatment as no gynaecologist was available. He later took her to a private clinic, where he spent Tk 5,000 on doctors' fees and diagnostic tests.

Taslima Akter of Barma Village said she had been receiving treatment at the hospital for five years but had been deprived of proper services in recent months due to the absence of a gynaecologist.

Abdul Latif of Gararan Village said patients had to wait in long queues to see doctors. He urged the authorities to increase the number of doctors in line with the growing patient load.

Khorshed Alam of Kewa Village also called for appointing specialist doctors to all departments.

Sreepur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Shafiqul Islam said they were struggling to provide healthcare to the large number of patients every day.

Urgent appointments to the vacant posts, particularly in the gynaecology and maternity departments, would improve the quality and coverage of services, he said.

Gazipur Civil Surgeon Dr Mamunur Rahman said the Directorate General of Health Services and the Health Ministry had been informed about the vacancies.

He hoped the vacant posts would be filled soon.