Because the post has dual functions one being the social welfare officer and the other being the general secretary of patients welfare society those we are supposed to benefit from this program are being deprived as they cannot access the financial support they need in order to use the hospital facilities.
Every month at least 70 patients at Magura Sadar Hospital benefit from this financial support scheme by the patient's welfare society .
But for the lat 3 months the patients have been unable to access the service because the post remains vacant without an appointed officer.
At present the welfare society has about Tk5 lakhs in its coffers.
A patient at the hospital, Anjira Khatun said: “I need guinea worm surgery as my father is a rickshaw van puller and we cannot bear the cost so I applied to the welfare society for help.”
“They cannot help us because there is no officer to approve our request. We are very disappointed,” she added.
Gangira Khanom employee at Magura sadar hospital social welfare office said: “everyday financially insolvent patients come to us for help but we have to turn them away because there is no officer to approve their requests.”
He also said: “I along with two other employees have not gotten our salaries for the past three months, we cannot live like this.”
When contacted Vice President of Magura patients welfare society Ziaul Hoque said that the society contributes greatly to lives of patients who cannot afford healthcare.
He also said: “ We contribute monthly to the fund and we also fundraise but problem is distributing the money because there is no appointed officer to approve the distribution.”
Deputy Director of social welfare department of Magura Mahinul Hoque admitted that the vacant position is a problem and said he has informed higher officials of the matter.
Mazharul Hoque Lipu is our district correspondent from Magura.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
