At Nazrul University, more than 10,000 students rely on just 4 doctors — and there is no night service at the 'Byathar Dan' medical centre

The medical centre at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University is named 'Byathar Dan'. But the centre has only four doctors to provide healthcare to more than 10,000 students.

Alongside the doctor shortage, there is no medical service at night, so students who fall ill have to go outside the campus. Students have therefore demanded round-the-clock medical services.

University sources say four doctors are currently on duty at the medical centre — one woman and three men. Those concerned say this number is not enough for such a large number of students.

Dr Mosammat Momtaz Begum, deputy chief medical officer of the centre, said it is not possible to run a 24-hour service with four doctors. At least 10 doctors are needed. In particular, having one or two doctors at night would make it possible to give students immediate treatment in emergencies.

She said about 200 to 400 patients come to the medical centre every day. Students mostly come with fever, colds, coughs and various common illnesses. Alongside the doctor shortage, a shortage of medicines sometimes arises too; when supply paperwork or deliveries are delayed, some medicines temporarily run short.

Students say the biggest problem arises after evening. If they fall ill at night, there is no doctor at the medical centre, so they have to go outside the campus.

Shakib Bhuiyan, a student of the human resource management department, said if a student suddenly falls ill after evening, the scope for immediate treatment on campus is limited, and they are forced to go outside. At least primary treatment and emergency services need to be ensured on campus, he said.

Ratna Akter, a student of the CSE department's 19th batch, said many students who fell ill at night have had to go to Mymensingh. If the university medical centre stayed open 24 hours, such suffering would lessen. The supply of necessary medicines also needs to be increased, she said.

The university administration says initiatives have been taken to increase the number of doctors to ensure students' healthcare. But until the necessary manpower is approved and recruited, services must continue with the current doctors.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain said the four doctors currently at the medical centre are not enough to ensure healthcare for more than 10,000 students, and that they are aware of the doctor shortage. A demand has been sent to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to recruit more doctors to resolve the crisis. If the necessary manpower is received, the scope of the centre's services can be expanded. He said the administration is working so that students can receive the healthcare they need on campus itself.