DU medical centre limping along

The students of Dhaka University (DU) are not satisfied with the services provided by the university medical centre.

The lone medical centre, which was named after Shaheed Dr Muhammad Murtaza last year, is struggling with multiple problems including fund crisis, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of medicines and low number of physicians and mismanagement.

Although it remains open twenty-four seven, students allege that they are not getting expected services at the centre.

Established in 1922, the 22-bed centre has around 20 doctors against a huge number of students, teachers and staff.

During a recent visit, the medical centre was found in a sorry state. The plaster of the ceiling is falling off exposing the concrete inside. This correspondent talked to a number of students about their experiences at the medical centre. Almost everyone said they are not happy with the facilities of the medical centre.

They also allege that physicians and the staff are not friendly and most of the time, they are given painkillers or Napa only. As a result, students often make fun of the centre calling it a ‘Napa Medical Centre’.

“Once I had a fever. When I went to the medical centre, the doctor prescribed me some medicines without proper physical test. When I went to collect the medicines, they told me that they didn’t have the prescribed medicines except Napa,” said Nurul Islam Hridoy, a student of the university’s public administration department.

“If you go there (centre), they’ll ask you to get treated in Dhaka Medical.” Borhan Mohammad, another student of the university’s institute of education and research, said, “It is rather a dysfunctional   medical centre. It’s of no use. Minimum service is not available there. We have to go to other medicals even for common diseases or minor injuries. I am dissatisfied with the service of the centre.”

Wishing to be anonymous, a doctor at the medical centre said that they are trying their hardest despite having various limitations.

“The medical is for the university students. We also want students to receive good medicines and proper treatment. That is why the budget needs to be increased. If the authorities want, they can improve the quality of service.”

When asked about the allegations, Dr Hafeza Zaman, newly appointed chief medical officer (acting) of the centre, said, “We don’t have any specialist here. We are all general physicians. When we see that the condition of patients goes beyond our capacity, we have to refer them to another medical centre.”

“The budget for the medical centre was Tk 27 lakh last year. But it has plunged to Tk 7 lakh this year.”

About their preparations about the Omicron variant, Dr Hafeza said, “We only have the arrangement to take immediate action in case of dyspnoea, as we don’t have an ICU here.”

Despite repeated attempts, Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman could not be reached for comments.

 

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DU medical centre limping along