The government hospital that is supposed to meet the needs of about 16 lakh people has 33 sanctions posts of doctors, but only 10 are posted now. Of them hardly five are available at the hospital, patients alleged while talking to this Correspondent during a visit there on Sunday.

Besides, beds and supply of medicine are two inadequate to the needs of patients.

Three hundred to 400 patients come to the hospital from different areas of the district daily, hospital sources said.

But about half of them return home disappointed without getting any treatment, it was gathered from patients and other sources at the hospital.

Between 11 am to 1 pm, this correspondent counted about 200 patients including women and children waiting at the outdoor, where only three doctors were seen. A total of 210 patients were given tickets on the day for treatment, but only 130 had the opportunity to meet doctor.

Luki Begum of Khalisakhali village said she came to the hospital for treatment of her sick four yearold son Khokon, but could not meet a doctor till 1 pm.

Sonali of Gazipur village earlier came on Saturday with his two-year child Suman, suffering from fever. She returned failing to see a doctor and came again on Sunday, she said.

At the out door, over 200 patients were awaiting. "I am waiting here since 9 am but the doctor was no available at his room," said Salma of Kuripaika village in the Sadar upazila, mother of one and half year child Monir.

"I came also on Saturday but went back home failing to see a doctor" , she claimed.

The hospital was established in 1979 on 12.44 acres of land at Kalikapur, initially with 25 beds. The number of beds was increased to 100 in 1990 and to 250 later at a cost Tk 13.58 crore. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia opened the upgraded hospital on February 17 last year.

Sources at the Civil Surgeon's office said 23 out of 33 posts of doctors are vacant for long.

The vacant posts are those of senior surgery consultant, child and ENT specialist, eye consultant, pathologist, radiologist and anaesthetist, all four posts of emergency Medical Officer (EMO) and dental surgeon. One out of five posts of assistant registrar is also vacant.

It has been upgraded but manpower including doctors has not been increased, said Civil Surgeon Nurun Nahar Begum. She said she gave a proposal to the health ministry in March last year for 84 doctors, but there has not been any response.