Locals deprived of health services in Sylhet
Sylhet Correspondent :
Sylhet’s Union Health and Family Welfare Centers are struggling with various problems including dilapidated buildings, shortage of medicines, and manpower shortage. Grassroots citizens have been deprived of services due to non-supply of medicines and family planning materials for six months.
At a time when patients of all ages are expected to flock to seek services, the Kuchai Union Health and Family Welfare Center in South Surma Upazila of Sylhet is in a state of eerie silence. Not only this center, but every center is in the same situation. No one is visiting the center as the supply of medicines and family planning materials has been cut off for six months. Patients who come to seek services are seen returning without receiving medicines and family planning materials.
Md. Abdul Jalil, a member of the Kandigaon Union Parishad of Sylhet Sadar Upazila, said that the union residents flocked to his house after not receiving medicines and family planning materials.
FWV Sumi Roy of Kuchai Union Health and Family Welfare Center in South Surma said that patients are no longer coming to the center due to the supply of medicines and family planning materials being stopped since October.
On the other hand, Daudpur Union Health and Family Welfare Center in South Surma Upazila is in a dilapidated state.
Buildings and residences can collapse at any time. Service providers are working 24 hours a day in most centers, including this center.
FWV Bar-Ali Talukder of Daudpur Union Health and Family Welfare Center said that although the matter has been reported to the higher authorities, no solution is being found.
Family Planning Inspector of Kuchai Union Health and Family Welfare Center Md. Zakaria Ahmed said that although FWV Sumi Roy is on duty 24 hours a day at this center, the accommodation system is very dilapidated.
SACMO of Kandigaon Union Health and Family Welfare Center Nayan Banik said that they are struggling to provide services due to manpower shortage.
Deputy Director of the Department of Health Md. Niazur Rahman said that 67 centers of the department do not have pharmacists, and the centers are having to provide services with a serious shortage of manpower in other positions. He admitted that the buildings are in dilapidated condition and is waiting for allocation. On the other hand, he also said that the allocation of medicines has been stopped after October after the student-people’s revolution. These centers provide services to pregnant and post-pregnancy, MR, general patients, children under 5 years of age, reproductive system disease services, EPI services, vitamin A capsule distribution, and family planning services. He also said that adolescent reproductive health education is provided.