Manpower shortage : Sreenagar Upazila Health Complex ambulance out of order for 3 years
Khan Sujon, Sreenagar (Munshiganj)
Healthcare services at the Sreenagar Upazila Health Complex are limping due to a shortage of essential medical equipment and manpower. Located just 25 kilometers south of the capital, Sreenagar Upazila has a population of around 500,000 across 14 unions. Locals believe that the quality of healthcare here has dwindled to a flickering flame.
The hospital’s only ambulance has been out of order for nearly three years. In emergency situations, patients are being transported using private ambulances. Multiple private ambulances are parked inside the hospital premises. Disputes often arise between patient attendants and ambulance drivers over inflated fares and other excuses.
According to sources, there are 258 approved posts for first, second, third, and fourth-class officers and staff at the health complex. Nearly half of these positions are vacant, including key roles such as ticket clerk, cardiographer, compounder, emergency attendant, and lab attendant. The hospital is also suffering from a shortage of cleaning staff. In many cases, contract workers are being used to fill the gaps.
It is known that Dr. Md. Jasim Uddin joined as the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer in early December. While there have been talks of addressing the hospital’s various issues under his leadership, the broken ambulance has yet to be repaired. The ambulance issue has been discussed at the Upazila’s monthly meeting. One of the on-duty doctors stated that the broken ambulance is now practically considered scrapped.
Dr. Md. Jasim Uddin, Sreenagar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said that a request for a new ambulance has been submitted to an advisor of the interim government. If approved, an ambulance will be prioritized for this hospital. He claimed that there is no shortage of doctors, but 23 out of 26 fourth-class positions remain vacant. When asked about the total number of vacant posts, he replied that he would need to check the figures to give an exact number.
