None of the five health sub-centres meant to bring government care to the villages of Araihazar upazila in Narayanganj now has a doctor. The doctors posted to four of them are attached to other hospitals or on deputation, and the fifth has been absent without leave for four years. Pharmacists see patients at some centres, and Kalapahariya sub-centre is closed because every post there, the doctor's included, is vacant, Ittefaq reports.
According to the report, the medical officer of Satgram sub-centre joined in April 2019 but has been absent since 2022 and is understood to be abroad. The centre is run by a midwife and a pharmacist. The upazila family planning officer has written to the Directorate General of Health Services several times without result.
Brahmandi's medical officer has been attached to Narayanganj Police Lines Hospital since 2017, and its sub-assistant community medical officer has been moved to another centre. Haizadi's medical officer is attached to the upazila health complex, leaving one pharmacist. Chaitankanda's doctor is attached to Kurmitola hospital and Kalapahariya's to Mugda hospital; a sub-assistant community medical officer from Kalapahariya has been attached in Dhaka for eight years.
Citing sources at the upazila health complex, the report says many doctors posted there also come in no more than two or three days a week, sharing the days among themselves. Private providers are filling the gap, and people across the upazila are going without the care they need.
Dr Arif Bhuiyan, the upazila health and family planning officer, said the sub-centre and union health centre doctors are attached to the upazila on the directorate's instructions. A letter has gone to the directorate asking for action over the long-absent doctor, he said, but with no response the matter remains unresolved.
The report is by Ittefaq's Araihazar correspondent.
Source: Ittefaq
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