The 50-bed Chitalmari Upazila Health Complex serves nearly 200,000 people, yet only two doctors are currently available to provide medical care. Working around the clock, these two doctors are already under severe pressure. According to Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Shormi Rai, both doctors plan to move to Dhaka in March to pursue higher degrees, which will leave the local population without essential healthcare services. Dr. Rai shared this concern during the Upazila Monthly Law and Order Committee meeting on November 27.
Currently, three doctors are assigned to the health complex, including one who is physically disabled, meaning that only two active doctors manage patient care. Due to the shortage, hundreds of patients from across seven unions, 63 wards, and 128 villages visit the health complex daily, with most being poor and underprivileged.
Out of 164 sanctioned positions at the health complex, 51 remain vacant. At the union level, 10 of the 27 doctor positions are filled, with two on deputation. Several specialized posts remain unfilled, including Junior Consultants in Surgery, Skin & VD, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics (two), Medicine, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Anesthesiology, and two Assistant Surgeons, as well as four union-level Assistant Surgeon posts.
Additionally, other critical positions such as Chief Assistant cum Accountant, Statistician, Cashier, Storekeeper, Office Assistant cum Typist, Nursing Supervisor, Medical Technologists (Lab and SI), Assistant Nurses, and Health Assistants totaling 51 posts across second, third, and fourth class positions remain vacant. The staff shortage has made it extremely difficult for patients to receive timely care.
Dr. Shormi Rai emphasized that the remaining doctors are providing 24-hour service, but their workload is unsustainable. Once they leave for higher studies in March, the health complex will be left with virtually no medical staff, putting thousands of lives at risk. The situation has already been reported to higher authorities to seek urgent measures for filling the vacant positions and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services in Chitalmari Upazila of Bagerhat District.
