The Lama Upazila Health Complex in Bandarban, designed for 50 beds, is facing an acute crisis as it struggles to serve a population of approximately 3 lakh across three Upazila.
The facility is critically overwhelmed, routinely admitting 90 to 120 inpatients daily more than double its capacity leading to patients, including children, receiving essential care piled up on verandas and floors.
The most severe deficit is in medical personnel. Against 23 sanctioned doctor posts, only 3 physicians are currently working, with crucial positions like gynecologist and dentist long vacant. While the nursing crisis was recently mitigated with the posting of 19 new nurses, the facility also suffers from critical shortages among fourth-class staff and medical technicians. Due to the scarcity of beds and resources, relatives report that admitted patients frequently go without the provided hospital diet for up to four days, leading to frequent disputes and harassment directed at the staff. Officials confirm the 50-bed capacity is "absolutely impossible" to manage the current patient load.
In light of the constant pressure and the essential role the complex plays for the region's mostly laboring population, the community and health officials are urgently demanding that the Lama Upazila Health Complex be immediately upgraded to a 100-bed facility.
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