A state-of-the-art hospital, equipped with operational escalators, spacious lifts, and an infrastructure worth 1,500 crore taka, remains devoid of patients despite its grand inauguration over two and a half years ago. The super-specialized facility has yet to open its doors due to a severe staffing shortage, leaving equipment worth 283 crore taka to deteriorate unused. The newly appointed administration is now preparing to recruit the necessary personnel, with plans to make the hospital operational by July.
The hospital, built under the BSMMU in Shahbagh, the capital, was designed with the aim of reducing the number of patients seeking treatment abroad and to introduce a center-based healthcare service system for the first time in the country, similar to those in developed nations. However, upon visiting the facility, a stark silence permeates throughout the hospital. Only 15 patients occupy the cabins, and just 22 are admitted in the wards. The ICU and CCU are yet to be operational.
According to sources from the Ministry of Health and BSMMU, mismanagement and irregularities in staff recruitment have led to the hospital running with only 11% of the required workforce.
This specialized hospital, funded by South Korea, is struggling despite its infrastructure costing 1,500 crore taka. Of this, 283 crore taka was spent on acquiring 6,612 medical devices, including 403 different types of equipment. These devices were delivered in two phases—August and December of 2022—by Samsung, a private South Korean company. Though the equipments are ready for use, 90% of it have never been utilized due to the lack of staff.
These devices have a maximum shelf life of three years, meaning two years of their life will be wasted before they are even put to use. If the staffing issue is not resolved by December this year, the government will have to spend additional funds for the maintenance of the equipment.
Dr. Md. Shahidul Hasan, the aditional director of the Super Specialized Hospital, told Bangladesh Pratidin, "The primary obstacle to fully operationalizing the hospital is the staffing shortage. A 750-bed hospital requires over 2,700 staff, but we currently have only around 300. There is a shortage of staff across all departments, including the ICU, CCU, NICU, Hepatobiliary, liver transplant, and kidney transplant units. The issue of funding for new hires is also a major concern, as the Ministry has not yet decided on the salary structure."
"In the first phase, 1,544 staff will be recruited to operate 300 beds. This will include 8 Senior Chief Consultants, 22 Chief Consultants, 32 Senior Consultants, 57 Consultants, 231 Medical Officers, and 598 Senior Staff Nurses, along with other staff and outsourcing. A decision regarding the recruitment notice will be made after the Syndicate meeting on February 26," he added.
The recruitment process at the hospital was stalled following controversies and question paper leaks related to several appointments at the start of last year. Despite sending 160 doctors and healthcare workers to South Korea for training in five batches, only 32 have joined the hospital, leading South Korea to suspend the training program. Corruption has also been reported in multiple areas, including the recruitment process and the hospital's pharmacy tender.
Dr. Sheikh Farhad, proctor of BSMMU, told Bangladesh Pratidin, "Four key areas will be prioritized when launching the 300-bed facility: infertility, kidney transplant, liver transplant, and cardiac care. These are areas where patients frequently seek treatment abroad, and they will receive advanced care here. We are in contact with Bangladeshi doctors in the UK and the US, and many have expressed willingness to come back and provide treatment."
Regarding the expiration of equipment, he stated, "Some equipment will reach its expiration in July this year. A special team, led by the project director, has been formed to address this issue and will provide a full update. Some machines have a two-year replacement warranty."
He confirmed that inquiries regarding these matters have already been made.
Translated by ARK/Bd-Pratidin English
