Madaripur's 250-bed hospital runs on 100-bed staffing, three children to a bed in the children's ward

A manpower crisis has reached a severe level at the 250-bed Madaripur District Hospital. Although the hospital runs 250 beds, it is being operated with the staffing meant for 100 beds.

Against 197 approved posts at the hospital, only 138 people are working. Fifty-nine posts are vacant, including 37 posts of doctors alone.

Without the necessary manpower, doctors and nurses are struggling to cope with the pressure of patients. The impact is falling most heavily on children's medical care.

A recent on-the-spot visit found 133 children admitted to the hospital's children's ward against 40 beds. Forty of them are suffering from measles.

With several times more patients admitted than there are beds, two to three children have to share the same bed. Many patients have to stay on the floor for lack of space. Mothers also have to stay in the ward with their small children, creating a crowded situation.

Hospital sources said large numbers of children are being admitted every day with fever, colds, coughs, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, diarrhoea and other illnesses. Although patient pressure has risen, the number of beds in the children's ward has not increased, so treatment has to be provided with limited beds and manpower.

According to the district Civil Surgeon office, against 56 first-class posts, 19 people are working and 37 are vacant. One of 68 second-class posts, five of 28 third-class posts and 16 of 45 fourth-class posts are also vacant.

Kamal Hossain of Panchkhola village in Sadar upazila said his four-year-old son is admitted to the hospital with fever, and three children have to share the same bed. Relatives, alongside the children, are also facing various difficulties, he said.

Shiuli Begum of Khaserhat village in Kalkini said her three-month-old son is suffering from pneumonia. After admitting him to the hospital, she found three children kept in the same bed. Staying this way with small children is very difficult, she said.

Dr Akhil Sarkar, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of the 250-bed Madaripur hospital, said there is a manpower crisis at the hospital, but they are trying to provide the best possible medical care. More patients than the hospital's designated beds are admitted almost every day, and although doctors and nurses struggle with the extra pressure, they continue to provide care sincerely, he said.

Dr Mohammad Khaliluzzaman, acting Civil Surgeon of Madaripur, said the 250-bed operation has to be run with the manpower of 100 beds, putting extra pressure on doctors and nurses. If the necessary manpower is recruited and the full 250-bed operation is launched, the quality of medical care will improve further, he said.