Sunamganj Sadar Hospital reels from manpower shortage

The 250-bed Sunamganj Sadar Hospital is struggling to provide adequate medical services due to severe shortages of doctors, nurses and other staff, leaving thousands of patients to suffer every day.
The hospital serves around 2.8 million people across 12 upazilas of Sunamganj district. Patients from neighbouring areas also come here seeking treatment, but many are forced to turn to private clinics or hospitals in divisional cities if they can afford it.
According to hospital sources, only 24 of the 74 sanctioned posts for doctors are currently filled, leaving 50 vacant. Of the 263 sanctioned nursing posts, 67 are occupied, while 108 of 136 other posts, including those for medical technologists, are vacant.

The hospital was upgraded from 100 beds to 250 beds in 2009, but the manpower and other facilities have not increased accordingly, officials said.
The shortage has become particularly acute as the hospital receives nearly two-and-a-half to three times its official capacity in patients. Around 900 patients are receiving treatment every day. The hospital received 930 patients last Saturday, 796 on Sunday and 863 on Monday (September 7), according to the hospital records.
Hundreds of children suffering from measles, fever, cold, cough and diarrhoea are among those receiving treatment in the paediatric ward. The 50-bed ward accommodates around 250 children daily, despite having only one paediatrician.
Hospital authorities said patients often have to wait for long periods for treatment, while many admitted patients have to stay on floors, balconies and stairways due to a lack of beds.
Faruk Mia, a resident of Lalpur village in Sadar upazila, said there was hardly any space inside the wards because of the large number of patients. “Many patients do not get beds, sheets or pillows. Their relatives have to bring pillows and other necessities from home,” he said.
Zakir Hossain, another patient attendant, said the hospital provides some basic medicines but often lacks antibiotics, IV saline and medicines for conditions such as high blood pressure. “As a result, we have to buy the necessary medicines from pharmacies outside the hospital,” he said.
Local resident Samad Chowdhury said increasing manpower and improving infrastructure were urgently needed at the hospital, which he described as the last resort for many district residents.
Resident Medical Officer Dr Rafiqul Islam said around 250 children were being admitted to the 50-bed paediatric ward every day, putting considerable pressure on nurses and other health workers. “The situation would not have arisen if there were adequate manpower,” he said.
Hospital Superintendent Dr Ali Ashraf Sohag said the facility was unable to provide the desired services because of shortages of doctors, nurses, technologists and other staff. “I have discussed the manpower shortage with the local MP and informed the higher authorities in writing. I also recently presented information about the hospital’s problems at a law and order committee meeting,” he said.