Severe Staff Shortages Cripple Khagrachhari Healthcare System
Government healthcare services in Khagrachhari are facing an intense workforce crisis, leaving critical positions vacant and essential equipment underutilized. Officials note that despite upgrades to district facilities, severe shortages among doctors, nurses, and support staff are severely hindering patient care.
The government healthcare service delivery system in Khagrachhari is currently grappling with an acute shortage of human resources, severely impacting the quality of medical care available to local residents. Data from the Khagrachhari Civil Surgeon's Office highlights widespread vacancies across multiple departments, stretching the existing workforce to its absolute limits as they attempt to manage the daily influx of patients seeking medical attention throughout the district.
A critical area affected by this shortfall is the grassroots health administration, particularly regarding health assistants. Out of 204 approved positions for health assistants, only 75 are currently filled, leaving a staggering 129 posts vacant. Although a recruitment notice had previously been published for 120 vacant positions—including 112 specifically for health assistants—the entire hiring process has been stalled due to a writ petition filed in the High Court, delaying much-needed relief for the overburdened sector.
The staffing crisis extends deeply into clinical and diagnostic services as well. According to officials, only 24 out of 48 approved posts for sub-assistant medical officers are currently filled, leaving half of the positions empty. Diagnostic capabilities are similarly constrained; while the district facility is supposed to have nine radiologists, only four are currently on duty. This severe deficit directly impacts operations, as described by Nobel Chakma, who noted that an average of 60 to 70 patients require X-rays daily. Despite having two X-ray machines available, a lack of specialized personnel forces one of the machines to remain entirely unused.
Patient care at the primary regional facility faces immense administrative hurdles as well. Chayan Chakma pointed out that blood transfusion kits have not been supplied for nearly two years, a situation that significantly increases the financial burden on patients who must secure these materials independently. Meanwhile, Dr. Rippal Bappi Chakma explained that although the Khagrachhari Modern District Sadar Hospital was upgraded to a 250-bed facility in 2023, it continues to operate with a medical staff sized for just 50 beds, alongside a nursing contingent adequate for 100 beds. Dr. Chakma emphasized that ensuring comprehensive treatment for complex cases under these conditions remains a constant struggle for the hospital administration.
Broader institutional challenges were also highlighted by local stakeholders. Ratan Khisa stated that a massive proportion of third- and fourth-class positions across Khagrachhari's health sector remain vacant, compounding the difficulties created by physician and nurse shortages and making it exceptionally difficult to deliver standard healthcare services. In response to these escalating concerns, MN Achsar affirmed that authorities are prioritizing the district's health sector and will take necessary steps to resolve existing legal complications through the High Court at the earliest opportunity, adding that initiatives will be pursued to address the department's difficulties via a transparent recruitment process.
