Surgical services at government hospitals across Meherpur have remained suspended for nearly two months due to the absence of an anaesthesiologist, leaving patients facing costly private treatment or long-distance referrals.
Operating theatres at the 250-bed Meherpur General Hospital and the 50-bed health complexes in Mujibnagar and Gangni have effectively remained shut, forcing many patients to spend an additional Tk15,000 to Tk50,000 at private clinics.
Hospital sources said anaesthesiologist Mehedi Hasan was transferred from Meherpur to Chuadanga General Hospital on 19 June. On the same day, AM Rakibur Rahman was posted to Meherpur General Hospital as his replacement, but he did not join.
Rakibur Rahman said the health authorities subsequently cancelled his posting to Meherpur and instructed him to join Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The transfer left the anaesthesiologist post vacant.
According to the hospital’s surgery department, under normal circumstances it performs an average of 30 to 35 gynaecological procedures, 40 to 45 general surgeries and around 35 orthopaedic operations every month.
The prolonged suspension has particularly affected pregnant women and patients with complicated gynaecological conditions, raising concerns over increased risks to mothers and newborns.
Rakibul Islam, a man in his sixties from Monakhali village in Meherpur Sadar, has been admitted to Meherpur General Hospital for three days after doctors advised surgery on an abscess that developed in his right foot.
Rakibul, who has diabetes, said the wound developed after a sharp object pierced his foot while he was working in a field.
Another patient, Aleya Begum, said she had been suffering from an abscess on her left heel but could not undergo surgery.
“I am suffering terribly at this age. They say there is no doctor at the hospital, so I am just lying here,” she said.
Helal Uddin, a farmer from Tetulbaria village in Gangni, said his wife Champa Khatun developed severe abdominal pain on 28 July and was taken to Meherpur General Hospital.
Doctors diagnosed appendicitis and advised surgery, but Helal said she was only given painkillers because surgery was unavailable.
“The pain has not eased even after taking medicine. Surgery at a clinic will cost Tk12,000 to Tk14,000, which I cannot afford,” he said.
Ambia Khatun of Joypur village in Mujibnagar has also been suffering from abdominal pain for 11 days. She was referred from Mujibnagar to Meherpur General Hospital but had to return after learning that surgical services were suspended.
Unable to afford treatment at a private clinic or outside the district, she has remained dependent on the government health facility.
No temporary arrangement has yet been made to bring an anaesthesiologist from Kushtia or Chuadanga on deputation once or twice a week to conduct emergency caesarean sections or other critical operations.
Even minor procedures that could otherwise be performed under spinal or local anaesthesia have remained suspended because of the shortage.
Suraiya Sharmin, junior consultant at the gynaecology department of Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complex, said emergency patients were being referred elsewhere because no anaesthesiologist was available.
Zahidul Islam, resident medical officer of Meherpur General Hospital, said authorities had contacted Chuadanga and Kushtia Medical College Hospital seeking an anaesthesiologist on deputation.
However, the hospitals said they could not send anyone because they themselves had only one anaesthesiologist each, he added.
Patients requiring urgent treatment are being referred mainly to Kushtia and Rajshahi medical college hospitals.
Azizul Islam of Meherpur municipality and Bipul Sheikh of Gangni were recently referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital after suddenly falling ill, according to their relatives.
Their families said they had to spend Tk9,000 on an ambulance to reach Rajshahi — an expense they would not have faced had treatment been available in Meherpur.
Meanwhile, allegations have emerged that private clinics around the hospital are seeing increased business from caesarean sections and other surgeries because government facilities are unable to provide the services.
Jamidul Islam of Tetulbaria in Gangni said his pregnant wife was taken to Meherpur General Hospital but had to leave because surgery was unavailable.
He said a man named Sajib, who was present at the hospital, took them to a diagnostic centre promising prompt treatment. A caesarean section was performed there for Tk16,000.
“I am a day labourer. I had to borrow the money. If treatment had been available at the government hospital, I would not have had to spend so much,” Jamidul said.
Gangni Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Ekramul Haque and his Mujibnagar counterpart Asaduzzaman said their operating theatres could not function without an anaesthesiologist.
Meherpur Civil Surgeon AKM Abu Sayeed said the long-running vacancy had severely disrupted healthcare services.
He said the Directorate General of Health Services had been informed in writing several times, seeking an immediate solution, but no new posting or alternative arrangement had yet been made.
Khulna Divisional Health Director Sheikh Md Mosharraf Hossain said the authorities were treating the issue seriously.
“The doctor who had been posted there was transferred to Dhaka for special reasons. I will visit Meherpur General Hospital next week and take steps to fill the vacant posts,” he said.
