Photo: Messenger
A healthcare facility, the 10-bed Mother and Child Welfare Center in Lama Upazila, Bandarban, inaugurated in 2020, remains non-functional due to a severe shortage of manpower.
Despite being unveiled four years ago, the welfare center has not seen the appointment of essential staff, rendering it incapable of providing medical assistance to the approximately half a lakh people in the region. Security guard Shamsul Haque, who has been diligently guarding the infrastructure since its inauguration, is the sole personnel present.
On a recent visit, resident Md. Shafiqur Rahman, seeking treatment for allergies, was shocked to find the hospital gates locked and devoid of any staff. The only assurance he received from the security guard was that a doctor might be available the following Thursday.
This scenario is a daily suffering for countless patients who travel from remote areas, only to be turned away due to the center's incapacity to function. Dr. Bappi Marma, Medical Officer of Family Planning Directorate Lamar, acknowledges the struggle and mentions efforts to provide limited services through a sub-assistant community medical officer for a couple of days each week.
The responsibility for the center lies with Assistant Community Medical Officer Rezaul Karim and Deputy Assistant Community Medical Officer Prashant Kumar Dhar, who is currently in charge. However, due to the lack of appointments, medicines, and equipment allocation has been stalled.
The Mother and Child Welfare Center, requiring a minimum staff of 2 medical officers, 2 family maternity attendants (FMA), 3 family welfare inspectors, 1 office assistant, and 2 night guards, has seen its furniture and infrastructure deteriorate over time.
Built at a cost of Tk 4 crore 4 lakh under the Directorate of Health Engineering of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the hospital includes a 10-bed building, staff quarters, and a boundary wall. Despite these investments, the non-functional state of the facility is causing distress to the local population.
Prominent social worker Moazzem Hossain Khan's generous donation of 45 decimal land for the hospital's construction reflects the community's commitment to healthcare. Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing MP inaugurated it in 2020. However, the failure to appoint necessary manpower has led to a situation where the hospital serves no purpose for both Pahari and Bengali communities.
Deputy Assistant Community Medical Officer Prashant Kumar Dhar said that he provides medical services to patients who come to the hospital on Saturdays and Thursdays during the week. But the patients who seek services say that the hospital is closed for one day a week or sometimes for months.
Deepak Kumar Saha, Deputy Director of Family Planning Directorate, Bandarban, said that the treatment program has been kept running with a Deputy Assistant Community Medical Officer. Zilla Parishad is not able to appoint manpower due to the non-approval of manpower posts.
“147 mother and child hospitals across the country have been sanctioned, but unfortunately Sarai 10-bed Mother and Child Welfare Center has been sanctioned. According to the structure, letters are being circulated in the directorate regarding sanctioning various posts.” He added.
The dire situation extends beyond Lama Upazila, as 147 mother and child hospitals across the country face similar challenges. Letters have been circulated in the directorate advocating for the sanctioning of various posts, but progress remains elusive. The fate of the 10-bed Mother and Child Welfare Center in Lama Upazila serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action to address healthcare disparities in underserved areas.
Messenger/Fardin
