Problems plague Feni TB hospital

The Feni government TB hospital is beset with very many problems. As a result, tuberculosis patients are facing great difficulties.

The problems include inadequate manpower, lack of medical equipment, a shortage of drinking water, damaged X-ray machine and a ramshackle building. AC machines do not function due to low-voltage power supply to the hospital. Besides, a lab technician’s post and six Class IV staff posts have been lying vacant for a long time.

Posts of one junior consultant and one medical officer are lying vacant, too. Besides, the posts of one medical technologist and one office assistant are also vacant.

Yesmin Akther, 26, came to the hospital with chest congestion from Dagonbhuiyan. “Patients are being treated here in unhygienic conditions. The entrance to the hospital has been waterlogged following rain. We have to wade through filthy water to reach the hospital,” she alleged.

When contacted, consultant Dr. Mir Iftegar Mustafiz said: “A poor sewerage system is responsible for the accumulation of water at the entrance of the hospital. I’ve informed the department concerned, but no action has been taken yet.”

The hospital was set up in 1968 at Mohipal in Feni.

Many TB patients used to come here from neighbouring districts and remote areas for treatment. But, now the conditions of the hospital have worsened.

It has been alleged that no repair work has been done for the two-storied building, doors and windows remain broken, and furniture is damaged. Several cracks have appeared on the walls. The only digital X-ray machine lies defunct since 2009.

When contacted, Hassan Sahariar Kabir, civil surgeon of Feni, said: “We’ve taken steps and asked the PWD to repair the building.”

 Arun Chandra of the BRAC said: “As there is no lab technician, we have posted a technician there. We have also installed equipment for TB culture test. Earlier, a huge number of patients used to come to the hospital, but few come to the hospital now.”

It has also been alleged that the AFB testing lab has remained non-functional for the past four years.

 

Problems plague Feni TB hospital

The Feni government TB hospital is beset with very many problems. As a result, tuberculosis patients are facing great difficulties. The problems include inadequate manpower, lack of medical equipment, a shortage of drinking water, damaged X-ray machine and a ramshackle building. AC machines do not function due to low-voltage power supply to the hospital. Besides, a lab technicians post and six Class IV staff posts have been lying vacant for a long time. Posts of one junior consultant and one medical officer are lying vacant, too. Besides, the posts of one medical technologist and one office assistant are also vacant. Yesmin Akther, 26, came to the hospital with chest congestion from Dagonbhuiyan. Patients are being treated here in unhygienic conditions. The entrance to the hospital has been waterlogged following rain. We have to wade through filthy water to reach the hospital, she alleged. When contacted, consultant Dr. Mir Iftegar Mustafiz said: A poor sewerage system is responsible for the accumulation of water at the entrance of the hospital. Ive informed the department concerned, but no action has been taken yet. The hospital was set up in 1968 at Mohipal in Feni. Many TB patients used to come here from neighbouring districts and remote areas for treatment. But, now the conditions of the hospital have worsened. It has been alleged that no repair work has been done for the two-storied building, doors and windows remain broken, and furniture is damaged. Several cracks have appeared on the walls. The only digital X-ray machine lies defunct since 2009. When contacted, Hassan Sahariar Kabir, civil surgeon of Feni, said: Weve taken steps and asked the PWD to repair the building. Arun Chandra of the BRAC said: As there is no lab technician, we have posted a technician there. We have also installed equipment for TB culture test. Earlier, a huge number of patients used to come to the hospital, but few come to the hospital now. It has also been alleged that the AFB testing lab has remained non-functional for the past four years.