Community clinics in Jhenaidah are facing a severe shortage of medicines, leaving many patients returning empty-handed after days of waiting.
The lack of essential medicine supply has caused considerable distress, particularly for the poor and vulnerable populations in rural areas.
The government had established 187 community clinics across 67 unions in Jhenaidah’s six upazilas, aiming to bring healthcare services closer to the people. Just a year ago, these clinics were providing free medication for common ailments such as fever, cold, cough, and headaches.
Patients could access 27 types of medicines without charge.
However, today, most of the clinics are only able to offer two to three types of medicines, and in some cases, medication distribution has completely halted. As a result, people seeking medical help are left with no choice but to return without receiving any treatment.
Nazarul Islam, a farmer from Raghunathpur Community Clinic in Jhenaidah Sadar, shared his frustration, saying, “For the past few months, I have been coming here but receiving no medicine. A year ago, I could get everything I needed.”
Rashida Khatun, another disappointed patient, expressed her concerns, “My young son has a fever and cold. I used to get free medicine from here before. Today, they told me there is no medicine. This clinic is supposed to help the poor, but it’s not doing anything for us now. If I need to buy medicine from outside, it will cost me Tk400 to Tk500.”
Mazedul Haque, a healthcare provider at Kaluhati Community Clinic, said, “We receive patients, but we have no medicines to give. The patients are upset, and we are embarrassed. We can only provide health education and send them home. There’s nothing else we can do.”
Dr Mohammad Kamruzzaman, civil surgeon of Jhenaidah, confirmed the shortage, saying, “The government’s medicine supply has drastically reduced, and we are unsure when it will be restored. We hope the supply situation improves soon so that this crisis can be resolved.”
The ongoing shortage is putting a strain on the health services in the district, leaving many of Jhenaidah’s most vulnerable residents without access to essential healthcare.
