Healthcare for 20 Million People Disrupted by Acute Crises at Sherpur District Sadar Hospital

The operational crisis at Sherpur Sadar Hospital has reached a severe level, leaving around two million residents from Sherpur and three neighboring districts deprived of basic medical care. Upgraded from a 100-bed facility to 250 beds in November 2018, the hospital continues to function with staffing levels suited for a 100-bed facility. Despite serving over a thousand outpatient visitors and numerous admitted patients daily, acute shortages of medical staff, rampant broker influence, missing equipment, and official uncooperativeness force patients to seek expensive care at private clinics.

The hospital’s manpower crisis is particularly acute across its primary medical positions, where only 26 doctors are currently working against 86 sanctioned posts. Out of 58 physician positions, nine out of ten Senior Consultant posts, eight out of thirteen Junior Consultant posts, and the sole Resident Surgeon and Radiologist roles remain completely vacant. Furthermore, five Registrar posts and one Anaesthetist position are unfilled. On the nursing front, 78 nurses serve against 87 posts, leaving staff overwhelmed by the heavy patient volume, especially after 2:00 PM when only a single emergency physician is available.

Diagnostic services within the government facility remain severely crippled due to staff shortages, compelling middle- and lower-income families to pay significantly higher charges at private clinics. Space constraints force many admitted patients to reside in corridors, while rising security concerns and unregulated brokers add to their distress. Hospital Superintendent Dr. Sajjad Hossain was unavailable for comment, leaving his office during work hours and failing to answer repeated calls, which reflects the overall administrative indifference surrounding the facility.

Patients and relatives have expressed deep frustration over the poor service delivery, administrative neglect, and lack of essential medical attention. Abdul Haq, an elderly patient from Nalitabari sub-district seeking better treatment, shared, ‘I was admitted on Tuesday afternoon, and a doctor finally visited the ward this afternoon. It would be a huge relief if a doctor were available round-the-clock.’ His experience highlights the severe gap in continuous care that admitted patients face during their stay at the facility.

Residents emphasize that the public facility remains their only affordable healthcare option despite its overwhelming failures. Delowar Hossain from Kamarer Char village in Sadar sub-district remarked, ‘Sherpur Sadar Hospital is our last resort, but doctors do not attend rounds regularly, leaving us in distress. If all diagnostic tests could be done within the hospital, it would save us from having to go to private clinics where doctors refer us.’ Meanwhile, an anonymous patient raised alarms over security, noting rising theft and unauthorized brokers roaming freely.