Doctors Achieve Only Half Their Potential, Says BMU Director: International Edition (English)
April 3 — The condition of healthcare in Bangladesh’s public hospitals remains a cause for worry, frequently drawing attention to issues faced by institutions such as the Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Every day, thousands of patients come to BMU’s outpatient clinic, but numerous individuals depart with feelings of being overlooked because they believe the doctors show insufficient dedication.
During a recent encounter, a patient identified as Arman (a pseudonym for privacy) from Rupganj, Narayanganj, recounted his experience to an UNB correspondent.
“I had to wait in line for hours merely to obtain a ticket. Despite getting treated, the prolonged standing left me feeling even more unwell,” he stated.
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Several patients in the cabin block expressed frustrations over the irregularity of doctors’ visits. One patient said, “My doctor hasn’t come in nearly a month.”
Although certain patients reported receiving adequate care, the grievances were more numerous than the compliments.
A System Under Pressure
The BMU Director, Brigadier General Mosleh Uddin Noman, acknowledged to UNB that the hospital finds it challenging to fulfill patients’ expectations.
“Meeting patient expectations is incredibly challenging. We can’t say that our services are flawless since we still have numerous areas needing improvement,” he stated.
When questioned regarding the top priorities, he pointed out cleanliness as a crucial concern.
Moreover, he pointed out the critical lack of ICU beds. “Currently, we possess just 30-32 ICU beds, yet there’s an extensive queue with around 1,100 patients awaiting admission,” he elaborated.
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The director additionally highlighted the importance of improving the usage of the hospital’s sophisticated medical devices and enlarging outpatient facilities to decrease wait times.
Physicians Aren’t Achieving Their Complete Capability
When speaking with this correspondent, Brigadier General Noman stated that the medical professionals at BMU are only providing about half of what should be expected from them. He mentioned, “I do not require additional personnel; however, if the present staff were giving adequate treatment, it would considerably alleviate the strain on the system. The problem persists because they are not delivering comprehensive care to the patients,” he noted.
When questioned about why physicians do not operate at their maximum potential, he attributed this to discontentment with their compensation levels.
They argue that the wages they earn are inadequate for supporting their households, hence they aren’t delivering complete services. However, if they put forth their maximum effort, patient grievances would likely decrease significantly,” he stated.
Hospital Resources & Staffing
BMU is a large organization comprising 1,165 physicians, 1,304 nurses, 484 administrators, 775 Level 3 personnel, and 1,143 Level 4 personnel.
In addition, there are 226 temporary employees holding Grade 3 and Grade 4 positions.
The facility boasts 1,859 beds along with around 200 wards, catering to roughly 5,500 outpatients each day.
Even with its size, BMU encounters limitations in funding, which affects areas such as patient meals.
“The daily budget allocated for three meals per admitted patient is just Tk 175. While it’s insufficient to offer three nutritious meals, we are doing our best to provide whatever we can,” stated the director.
Late Care for Those Affected in the July Movements
Individuals hurt during the events of early July continue to be housed on the fourth and fifth levels of BMU’s ward section. Approximately fifty of these patients face delays as they await transfer overseas for more intensive care because of their critical conditions. These postponements have led to feelings of frustration among those affected, compounded by reports of uneven quality in healthcare services received.
One of the wounded individuals, Mohammad Shakil (19), shared his ordeal: “A bullet pierced my stomach and came out via my rectum, damaging the nerves in my left leg. This has caused frequent obstructions in my bowels, necessitating the use of a colostomy bag. Persistent issues could lead to long-term health problems for me.”
Mohammad Shuvo (21) sustained shrapnel wounds to his eye, head, and body, causing him to fear total loss of vision. He stated, “I have irreversible damage to one eye, and I’ve been recommended for medical care overseas. A metal plate remains in my eye, and without prompt surgical intervention, I could become completely blind.”
Azam (20) shared his terrifying ordeal. He said, “The police along with members of the Awami League forcefully put me in front of the Ashulia police station. My right eye has been entirely damaged, and my left one remains unclear. Additionally, I face difficulties walking because of leg and lower-back injuries. It’s been a month since I’ve been awaiting referral for specialized medical care overseas; however, I was informed that my documents still haven’t reached the ministry.”
A different patient who was hurt, Selim (17), claimed neglect from his designated physician. He stated, “The doctors do not attend to us adequately. Dr. Ibrahim Siddique, my doctor, hasn’t come to see me in 28 days.”
Upon being reached out to, Dr. Ibrahim Siddique denied the claims, saying, “While we carry out our rounds in the early hours, the patients are often unavailable. This matter won’t be addressed through a telephone conversation.”
Director’s Assurance
In response to the worries raised by the patients affected during the July movement, Brigadier General Noman confirmed that they were under the care of assigned medical personnel. He stated, “Every patient, including those hurt during the July movement, is receiving visits from designated doctors. Should they have any issues, they may discuss them with the nurses, who remain accessible at all times.”
Concerning the postponements in transferring patients overseas, he explained that the issue was under the jurisdiction of the ministry. He further stated, “They will be dispatched once the ministry finishes its processing.”
The director recognized the constraints of BMU’s system. He stated, “My efforts encompass all sectors. However, I find myself constrained as longstanding problems that have persisted for many years can’t possibly be resolved within just two months. Despite these challenges, I’m doing everything possible. Given that this is an independent entity, we need to operate based on our internal strategies.”
