Staff shortage disrupts ICU services in hospitals across Rajshahi division

ICU services across several district hospitals in Rajshahi Division are effectively non-functional due to a severe shortage of trained medical personnel, despite the availability of beds and modern equipment.

Hospitals in districts such as Joypurhat, Sirajganj, and Bogura have the necessary ICU infrastructure, but the lack of skilled doctors and trained nurses has forced critically ill patients to be transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), often putting their lives at risk.

The situation has worsened amid a rise in cases of measeles and respiratory illnesses.

Across the division, there are 54 ICU beds in government and private hospitals combined, but most remain non-operational due to staff shortages. For instance, Chapainawabganj’s 250-bed hospital has 10 ICU beds that cannot be used, while Bogura’s Mohammad Ali Hospital has 8, Sirajganj General Hospital 6, and Shaheed M Mansur Ali Medical College 10 ICU beds lying idle. Joypurhat General Hospital’s 10 ICU beds, set up in 2022, have yet to be activated due to a lack of doctors.

Currently, the 40-bed ICU at RMCH remains the main critical care facility for the division. However, it operates with limited staff and without full government approval, struggling to meet demand due to a shortage of anesthesiologists, critical care specialists, and trained nurses.

Relatives of patients said delays in ICU availability often force transfers to Rajshahi, posing serious risks.

Dr. Habibur Rahman, divisional health director of Rajshahi, assured plans to expand ICU services in all district hospitals. "The lack of trained personnel and specialists remains the primary challenge," he said.