Rajshahi, Apr 6 (V7N) – Hospitals across the Rajshahi division in northern Bangladesh are grappling with severely strained resources as patient numbers far exceed available beds and staffing, impacting healthcare delivery for the region's large population.

Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), the largest medical facility in the north, is particularly overwhelmed, often treating over 5,000 patients despite having only 1,200 beds. This forces many patients, including those from the southwestern region who also seek care there, to receive treatment on ward floors and even hospital balconies.

"The largest hospital in the northern region is Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. People from not only the northern region but also the southwestern region come here to get services. However, this hospital has three times more patients than beds. Although it is a 1200-bed hospital, sometimes it exceeds 5,000 patients," a hospital administration source confirmed.

Plans to upgrade RMCH to a 2,400-bed facility have reportedly stalled, further exacerbating the crisis. Manpower shortages also plague the hospital, despite its popularity and the crucial services it provides.

"The work of upgrading the hospital to 2,400 beds has also been stopped. In addition, there is a shortage of manpower in this hospital. However, this hospital is providing medical services. Good Because Answer O South Region Human Near Popular," a local health official noted.

The situation at RMCH reflects a broader crisis across the Rajshahi division. District hospitals and Upazila Health Complexes face similar challenges, particularly a deficit of doctors in the smaller facilities. The division's government hospitals collectively have 6,520 beds spread across eight districts and 59 Upazila Health Complexes.

"Not only Rajshahi Medical College Hospital - the situation is the same in every district hospital of the division. There is also an Upazila Health Complex. There are doctors' clubs in the Upazila hospitals Deficit. Rajshahi Department Government In the hospital Bed Number 6 Thousand 520. Department Eight District 59 In the upazila Health Complex There is," a regional health authority report detailed.

Chapainawabganj General Hospital, a 250-bed facility near the border, also suffers from bed shortages and a lack of adequate medical care, often referring patients to the already overburdened RMCH. The outpatient department at Chapainawabganj Hospital sees nearly 2,000 patients daily and performs major surgeries, but its 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) lacks the necessary manpower and equipment to function effectively.

"Despite infrastructural development, the quality of service has not improved at the 250-bed Chapainawabganj General Hospital. This hospital, located near the border, also has a shortage of beds. However, better medical care is needed. For The patients were sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital... Although there are 10 ICU beds here, there is no manpower and equipment. Hospital superintendent Dr. Masud Parvez said, although the infrastructure of a 10-bed ICU and dialysis unit has been built, manpower and equipment have not been available. There is also a bed crisis. Attempts are being made to provide beds to critical patients," Dr. Masud Parvez explained.

Naogaon's 250-bed hospital operates with the resources of a 100-bed facility, facing shortages in food allocation, logistical support, and manpower, with a 30 percent vacancy in its 100-bed staffing structure. Despite being upgraded in 2021 and serving over a thousand outpatients daily, the hospital has not received the corresponding increase in resources. Critical shortages in medical staff are also leading to the closure of specialized surgical services.

"Although Naogaon is a 250-bed hospital on paper, in reality, this hospital has the facilities of a 100-bed hospital. There is food allocation, logistical support, and manpower structure for 100 patients. Out of the 100-bed manpower, there is a 30 percent manpower shortage... The hospital's superintendent, Dr. Zahid Nazrul Chowdhury, is talking about providing the best service despite the limitations. He said, after the hospital was upgraded to 250 beds, patients from far and wide are coming to get complete healthcare. The manpower required for 100 beds is not there. Even after the hospital has 250 beds, other facilities including medicines have not increased. Despite all these problems, efforts are being made to provide complete service. More than 80 percent of the admitted patients are recovering and returning home. They are not being sent elsewhere. The doctor's office In the absence of Several Complex Surgery It has been closed for a long time," Dr. Zahid Nazrul Chowdhury stated.

The lack of functional ICUs across the division is a major concern. Of the 94 ICU beds available, 44 remain unused due to manpower shortages in districts other than Rajshahi and Bogra. This puts immense pressure on RMCH and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College (SHMC) Hospital in Bogra, and deprives critical patients in other districts of timely care.

"There are 94 intensive care unit (ICU) beds in Rajshahi division. Due to the shortage of manpower to run ICUs, 44 beds are lying idle in hospitals in the remaining districts except Rajshahi and Bogra. Due to this, the two hospitals are struggling to provide services due to the additional pressure of patients. In addition, critical patients are also being deprived of services due to not getting serials... However, except for RAMCH and SHMC Hospitals, ICU beds have been left behind. As a result, these two hospitals are under pressure from serious patients from these northern districts. As a result, critical patients are being deprived of services because they do not get serials," a regional health assessment reported.

The Acting Director of the Divisional Health Department, Dr. Habibur Rahman, acknowledged the severe shortages and stated that higher authorities have been informed, with assurances of increased manpower, even if bed capacity cannot be immediately expanded.

"Acting Director of the Divisional Health Department Dr. Habibur Rahman said, 'There is a shortage of beds and manpower in all the hospitals of the division. We have informed the higher authorities to resolve this problem. Even if the beds do not increase, the manpower will be increased,'" Dr. Habibur Rahman confirmed.

The dire situation in Rajshahi's healthcare system underscores the urgent need for increased investment in infrastructure, equipment, and, most critically, human resources to meet the healthcare demands of the region.

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