News Flash
By Belal Rizvi
MADARIPUR, Oct 15, 2025 (BSS) - The number of patients at Rajoir Upazila Health Complex in Madaripur is increasing every day. On average, more than a hundred patients are admitted to this 50-bed hospital every day.
Due to a lack of sufficient beds, many have to receive treatment on the balcony or floor. About 500 patients also come to the outdoor department every day to receive healthcare services. Doctors are struggling with limited manpower.
It has been learned from the field that the generator under the old building has been useless for 13 years. The analog X-ray machine often breaks down, and the ultrasonogram machine is also not operated regularly.
If there is no electricity, the hospital's service activities stop. As a result, patients have to go to private clinics for tests, which increases both time and cost.
Rajoir Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Md. Shamim Akhter said, "The 50-bed hospital is receiving double the number of patients against its capacity. However, the manpower is only in the ratio of 31 beds. Still, we are trying our best to keep the services running."
He said they have informed the concerned authorities about the shortcomings, and they have assured us of taking prompt measures.
The officer said that the electricity and water lines of the old building have become dilapidated. The generator and X-ray machine often break down. As a result, regular medical services are being disrupted.
This health complex, which started with just 10 beds in 1968, was expanded to 31 beds after independence and to 50 beds in 2010. Currently, several thousand people from different parts of Rajoir Upazila and its surrounding upazilas are receiving medicare services from here. As a result, the existing infrastructure has become very inadequate.
The walls of the old building are damp, and the quarters are uninhabitable. There are also security problems as the post of night watchman is vacant.
According to the available information from the Rajoir Upazila Health Complex, only 8 people are currently working against 19 doctor posts. Only two are working out of 11 junior consultant posts, 5 instead of 7 assistant surgeons, and there is one dental surgeon.
There is no gynecologist, and even though there is an anesthesia specialist, he is not available regularly. Although there is an operation theatre, surgical activities are almost closed. Most of the posts in the cardiology, ENT, eye, and skin departments are vacant.
Nursing Supervisor Biva Rani Baroi said that the number of patients is so high that they are being forced to keep patients on the floor. She believes that it will be difficult to control the situation if the manpower is not increased.
Local resident Tutul Biswas said that the hospital needs to be upgraded to 100 beds immediately, the necessary manpower needs to be recruited, and modern equipment needs to be provided. Otherwise, the services will be disrupted.
