Sources in the Civil Surgeon (CS) office told this correspondent, 62 out of 111 posts of physicians are lying vacant in the eight hospitals.

The vacant posts in Patuakhali General Hospital are: Senior Consultant (surgery), Child and ENT Specialists, Junior Eye and Orthopaedic Consultants, Patho-logist, Radiologist, Anesthetist and Gynaecologist. Three out of seven medical officers and three out of four emergency medical officers are also vacant here.

Patients have to collect blood at higher rate through brokers as there is no blood bank in the hospital.

On average, 150 patients stay on the floor in different wards of the hospital in an unhygienic condition due to shortage of bed.

In Dashmina Upazila Heath Complex, there are only two doctors instead of nine doctors. The quality of diet is not satisfactory, although an amount of Tk 30 is sanctioned for daily diet of each patient.

There is no doctor in the health sub-centres here. The sub-centres are at Labukhali in Dumki upazila and Boga in Bauphal upazila, Mahishkata, Chaila and Chalita-bunia in Mirjaganj upazila, Mohipur Health Sub-centre in Kalapara upazila, Ulania, Chalitabunia, Char Biswas and Khorizzama in Galachipa upazila and Knakdia, Kalisury in Bauphal upazila. Health assistants render medical treatment to patients coming from different areas.