10 physicians run 100-bed Patuakhali General Hospital

Twenty two out of 32 posts of physicians are lying vacant for a long time, according to hospital sources.

Vacant posts are of senior consultant (surgery), child and ENT specialists, junior eye and orthopaedic consultants, pathologist, radiologist, anesthetist and gynecologist.

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Three out of seven medical officers and three out of four emergency medical officers are vacant for a long period.

As there is no permanent blood bank, patients do not get blood during their emergency. They have to collect blood through brokers at high rates.

The X-ray machine has gone out of order for five months. Scarcity of life saving drugs is another serious problem. Patients' attendants are compelled to buy medicine from outside stores. Surgical blade, needle, plaster, bandage, gauge and other necessary medical accessories are seldom available here.

The diet supplied to patients by the hospital authorities is of inferior quality though Tk 30 is sanctioned for daily diet of each patient.

Most often patients coming to the hospital for surgical treatment are advised to go to particular clinics.

Most shocking is the civil surgeon herself works a part-time job at a clinic in the town, local people told this correspondent.

Accommodation problem is very acute in the hospital. The construction work to turn it into a 150-bed hospital is going on at snail's pace.