Most health sub-centers in Jhenaidah lack sufficient staffing. Even where appointments are officially recorded, doctors rarely show up. Although transfers are noted on paper, locals remain unfamiliar with these assigned professionals. This is the state of 13 sub-health centers in the district, leaving residents in remote areas without essential services. Villagers must travel to upazila or district hospitals for healthcare.

According to the Jhenaidah Civil Surgeon’s Office, apart from Harinakundu Upazila, there are 13 health sub-centers across five other upazilas in Jhenaidah. These include Harishankarpur and Sadhuhati in Sadar Upazila; Panchlia, Talsar, and Joydia in Kotchandpur; Talsar, Manderbaria, Shyamkur, and Jadabpur in Moheshpur; Kancherkol and Abaipur in Shailkupa; and Barabazar and Balrampur in Kaliganj.

Established in 1977, these health sub-centers were designed to cater to 1,500 to 2,000 patients daily. However, the health department reveals that only Harishankarpur, Kancherkol, Panchlia, and Talsar sub-health centers currently have appointed doctors, while the rest remain vacant. Even where doctors are assigned, they often avoid their duties, citing various excuses. The buildings are also in a dilapidated state. Although partial repairs were carried out in 2019, many sub-health centers remain in poor condition. Officials continue to provide services in these facilities, but patients are not receiving care that meets their needs.

At the Abaipur Health Sub-Center, an office assistant was found attending to patients instead of a qualified medical professional. Patients received medicine for fever and colds, but many left without proper treatment. The assistant community medical officer was also absent during the visit.

Similarly, the Manderbaria Health Sub-Center in Moheshpur Upazila has been closed for over 15 years due to a lack of staff. The building is in ruins, with bricks and plaster falling apart, windows and doors stolen, and the facility overrun by weeds and used as a cattle shed. Yet, the center remains listed as operational in government records.

At Harishonkorpur Union Health Sub-Center in Sadar Upazila, no medical officer was present. A minimal level of healthcare services continues in name only.

A relative of a patient named Nazma Khatun said, “We used to see a senior doctor here who would occasionally provide us with care. It has been many years since he left, and we haven’t seen anyone else since then.”

Rashed, another patient, remarked, “All we get here are medicines for fever and colds. We’ve heard there’s a doctor assigned, but we never see them. We need a full-time medical officer who will provide us with consistent care.”

Dr. Nahid Imran, a doctor assigned to the Kancherkol Union Health Sub-Center, explained, “Although I’m officially assigned to Kancherkol, I’m on deputation at Jhenaidah Children’s Hospital. It’s overwhelming to manage the workload there. Kancherkol is nearly 30 kilometers away, and it’s not feasible to travel that far after working at the children’s hospital.”

Acknowledging the issue, the Acting Civil Surgeon of Jhenaidah, Dr. Mithila Islam, said, “We do have a shortage of doctors in the district. We’ve informed higher authorities, and they have assured us that new doctors will be recruited soon. We hope this will resolve the issue.”