Barishal’s healthcare system reels from doctor shortage

The public healthcare system in Barishal division is struggling with a severe shortage of doctors, with more than half of the sanctioned posts vacant across government hospitals in the region.

Of the 1,867 sanctioned doctor posts in the six districts, excluding Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, only 675 are currently filled. The shortage is particularly acute at the upazila level, forcing patients from remote areas to travel to district towns or Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for treatment.

The pressure on the 1,000-bed hospital is further increased by patients arriving from other areas, including Madaripur and Shariatpur districts.

According to the Department of Health, Barishal district has 224 doctors against 439 sanctioned posts, while Bhola has 103 against 383, Jhalokathi 58 against 200, Patuakhali 120 against 333, Pirojpur 92 against 295 and Barguna 74 against 217.

Barishal Divisional Health Director Dr Md Refayetul Haider said the division was facing an acute shortage of doctors.

“A large number of patients suffering from various diseases, including measles and dengue, are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals. Due to the shortage of doctors, we are unable to provide adequate services,” he said.

He said the matter had been brought to the attention of the health secretary and director general, expressing hope that additional doctors would be posted to the division soon.

A Department of Health source said the riverine geography of the region created transportation difficulties, discouraging doctors from working in some upazilas of Bhola, Barguna and Patuakhali. Although doctors were posted to those areas, some later left their workplaces after lobbying for transfers, the source said.

Meanwhile, Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, considered a major referral centre for people across the southern region, is also struggling with a shortage of doctors. According to hospital data, the 1,000-bed facility treats around 2,000 inpatients and 2,000 outpatients on average each day. It has 571 sanctioned doctor posts, of which 240 are vacant.

Of the 248 sanctioned posts for specialist doctors, 146 are vacant, while 94 of the 323 general doctor posts remain vacant. Dr Mohammad Mahmud Hasan, assistant director (administration) of the hospital, said the shortage was making it increasingly difficult to provide adequate services to patients.

“We are constantly struggling to provide services because of the shortage of doctors. As a result, the quality of services is deteriorating,” he said.

He added that the hospital was doing its best to maintain services despite the shortage and that the authorities had informed the ministry about the situation.