At Sirajganj’s 250-bed Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hospital, women in labour are usually referred to Bogura. If a patient is admitted on a holiday she faces neglect and is often placed on the hospital floor. Hospital authority claims that this happens due to the absence of doctors.
Doctors at the gynecology department are accused of neglecting their duties, but apparently the whole hospital is in disarray since there is a dearth of experienced and skilled doctors.
People say that most doctors do not come to hospital on time and the specialists in nearby hospitals are also desultory in performing their duties.
On Dec 1, a patient called Rahima Khatun, came to the district hospital. She was referred to the Bogura Hospital from the Gynecology department. However, the woman gave birth to a still born baby at the hospital gate.
Another woman, Rahima Khatun gave birth to a child on the hospital corridor on Dec 8. A few years ago, when civil surgeon Dr Shamsuddin was in charge of the hospital as an additional duty, the scene began to change but after he went into retirement, everything collapsed.
Commenting on the recent incidents, civil surgeon, Dr Jahidul Islam, said: “Both incidents are unexpected and we cannot avoid responsibility. They are being investigated.”
District administrator Faruk Ahmed, added: “To probe the first incident, additional district magistrate formed a three member committee.”
Additional district magistrate Tofazzal Hossain observed: “Both incidents are similar; investigation on the first is almost over.”
In charge of gynecology, Dr Mahbuba Khatun, said: “Rahima was 6 months pregnant and had several complications. The previous woman, Mariam was also bleeding and needed ICU support and so, we referred her to the Bogura Hospital.”