When hospitals rest and patients languish: Eid woes of the ailing in Bangladesh

Two days ago, as festive lights brightened the skies of Dhaka ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, darkness descended on Jamal Ahmed's life.

A private firm executive, Jamal (not his real name) met with a road accident in the city's Matuail area. With multiple injuries and fractured bones, he was rushed to a nearby private clinic, where he received little more than first aid and an urgent piece of advice – to consult a specialist without delay.

But in Bangladesh, catching hold of a specialist during Eid is like chasing a vanishing star. Even though Jamal managed to secure an appointment with an orthopaedist for 7pm  the same day, his suffering had only just begun.

Upon reaching the clinic on time, he found himself in a sea of patients – injured, ailing, desperate – all waiting in silence and pain. For more than two excruciating hours, Jamal, nursing his battered limbs, sat in the crowded waiting room, hoping his turn would come.

This ordeal, however, is no anomaly. In Bangladesh, securing an appointment with a specialist even on regular days is a feat – during Eid, it turns into a miracle.

When the country slips into a celebratory mood, hospitals often descend into eerie silence. The hum of medical activity is replaced with the hushed cries of unattended patients.

At the clinic where Jamal waited, nearly 90% of the physicians were away, immersed in the bliss of the Eid holiday. For patients, however, there is no Eid, no joy, only a test of endurance amid trauma and tears.

A sweeping 10-day holiday began in Bangladesh on 5 June this year, blanketing the nation in a celebratory calm.

But at hospitals like Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), the calm feels more like abandonment. No specialist could be found on site, though emergency needs kept rising like the tide. Footage recorded off-camera captured the deserted hallways and empty chairs that should have been occupied by physicians.

Recognising the gravity of this recurring crisis, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has stepped forward, issuing a set of comprehensive directives to ensure that the Eid-ul-Adha break does not translate into unrelenting misery for patients.

Eid or not – care must continue

"We have divided doctors' leave according to DGHS instructions. Emergency services will remain available round the clock," said Ashraful Islam, deputy director of DMCH. 

"Given the long holiday and Dhaka Medical's consistently high patient load, we are taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted service," he said.

Dr Mizanur Rahman, superintendent of Kuwait Moitri Hospital, echoed similar assurance. "Outpatient services will remain closed from6 to 8 June only.

However, the ICU, labour room, ambulance, and other emergency services will remain operational. Patients will be served special meals on Eid day, 5 June will be a regular service day, and all departments will reopen from 9 to 12 June. The hospital will remain closed on 13 June but reopen from 14 June, including Saturday, even if other offices are shut."

To address the challenge in earnest, DGHS has laid down 16 vital instructions for public hospitals and a pair of key directives for private ones. These aim to guard the uninterrupted rhythm of essential healthcare across the nation.

Key directives from DGHS

Emergency departments must ensure the presence of duty doctors – additional physicians may be assigned as needed.

Labour rooms, emergency operating theatres, and diagnostic labs must remain open around the clock. Staggered leave schedules before and after Eid are recommended to maintain adequate staffing. 

Heads of institutions must approve leaves with an eye on public interest and the continuity of emergency services. Necessary district-level staff coordination is to be arranged, notifying civil surgeons or divisional directors beforehand.

Department heads are tasked with supervising daily activities and ensuring essential diagnostic services like X-rays and labs are active. Hospitals must maintain an adequate stock of life-saving medicines, IV fluids, reagents, and surgical supplies.

Ambulance services must operate at all times. Security coordination with local law enforcement is mandatory to ensure hospital safety. Fire safety measures must be strictly enforced. Institutional heads should remain in communication with on-duty staff and exchange Eid greetings.

If the head is on leave, a designated officer must take charge, with contact details submitted to higher authorities. 

Special meals should be arranged for in-patients on Eid, with senior officials personally overseeing the distribution. OPDs are not to remain closed for more than 72 hours — flexibility is granted but the core rule stands.

For private hospitals

Ensure 24/7 emergency and maternity services led by registered doctors.

Provide necessary initial care and help arrange transport for referred patients.

Notify the DGHS immediately of any emergencies or adverse incidents.

Dr Moinul Ahsan, director at DGHS, told UNB, "We've also issued two key guidelines for private hospitals since we don't have the same level of regulatory control over them. These include ensuring 24/7 emergency and maternity services under registered physicians."

Hope amidst haze

With these measures in place, health officials are hopeful that the spectre of past Eid holidays – marked by silent corridors, tearful waits, and untold anguish – will be replaced by a more responsible and responsive healthcare service. The challenge is formidable, but so is the resolve.

For Jamal Ahmed and thousands like him, even a moment's delay can mean a lifetime of suffering. Holidays must not become hurdles in the path of healing. As the nation celebrates Eid, its hospitals must remember – pain does not take a vacation.