Manpower shortage, X-ray crisis hamper services at Puthia hospital

Patients visiting Puthia Upazila Health Complex in Rajshahi are facing severe difficulties as X-ray examinations have remained suspended for nearly a month due to a shortage of X-ray film, while around 40 posts at the facility remain vacant.
The government-run health complex is also facing a shortage of an ambulance driver and workers assigned to prepare meals for patients, adding to the problems faced by patients seeking treatment there.
The situation is particularly affecting poor and low-income patients who travel from Puthia and surrounding areas for affordable healthcare. Many are reportedly being forced to spend extra time and money at private diagnostic centres or other hospitals to receive necessary services.
During a visit to the health complex on Monday, this correspondent found that X-ray examinations were not being conducted. Hospital staff said the facility had run out of X-ray film some time ago, leaving patients unable to undergo the diagnostic test despite medical needs.

Hospital sources said around 40 posts are currently vacant. Although the facility has an ambulance, the lack of a driver is hampering its operation. There is also no employee assigned to prepare meals for inpatients.
The health complex, located beside the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway, serves patients from Puthia and neighbouring areas. It is particularly important for poor and low-income people who depend on government facilities for affordable treatment.
However, shortages of manpower and essential supplies are forcing some patients to seek services elsewhere, increasing their treatment costs and causing additional inconvenience.
Local residents said the problems at the health complex were not new. They alleged that the authorities had been informed about the shortages several times, but no effective measures had yet been taken.
The continued problems have also raised concerns among patients and their relatives about the quality and availability of government healthcare at the facility.
Hospital authorities, however, said they had already sent requisitions to higher authorities seeking measures to address the problems.
Puthia Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Hasan Ali Molla said, “These problems exist. We have submitted requisitions. Let’s see when the problems are resolved.”
Regarding the shortage of X-ray film, Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Dr S I M Raziul Karim said the authorities were aware of the situation.
“The X-ray film has run out, and we know about the matter. But unless a tender is completed before December, it will not be possible to supply X-ray film,” he said.
The statement has left patients questioning why an alternative arrangement has not been made despite the X-ray service remaining suspended for nearly a month.
Several patients said they had to pay additional money at private facilities for diagnostic tests that they expected to receive at the government health complex.
They said the prolonged shortage of X-ray film was particularly difficult for patients from poor families, who often cannot afford private diagnostic services.
Patients and local residents urged the authorities to restore the X-ray service as soon as possible and address the manpower shortage, ambulance operation and patient meal arrangements.
They also called for a comprehensive review of the health complex's overall management and for effective measures to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
The continued shortage of staff and essential supplies has left many patients dependent on outside facilities, adding to their financial burden and raising concerns over access to basic healthcare at the government health complex.