Doctors’ crisis hits SBMCH amid Covid-19 | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 09, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 09, 2025
Doctors’ crisis hits SBMCH amid Covid-19

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

Ziaul Haque
04 July, 2020, 12:40 pm
Last modified: 04 July, 2020, 02:38 pm

Related News

  • 2 dengue patients die at Barishal's Sher-e-Bangla Hospital
  • One dies from COVID-19 in 24 hrs
  • Covid-19: Two more deaths, 7 new cases reported in 24hrs
  • Covid-19: One more death, 10 new cases reported in 24hrs
  • Three die from Covid-19 in 24 hrs

Doctors’ crisis hits SBMCH amid Covid-19

Out of 224 posts of doctors in the hospital, 128 are vacant

Ziaul Haque
04 July, 2020, 12:40 pm
Last modified: 04 July, 2020, 02:38 pm
Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH). Photo: UNB
Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH). Photo: UNB

Out of 96 doctors at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) in Barishal, 25 of them have been affected by Covid-19, 27 are in home quarantine, and the rest only 44 are providing treatment for some 4,000 patients on average daily in the indoor and outdoor units. 

"The crisis of doctors has been continuing for the last two years, and now it has become the worst," said the hospital director, Mohammod Bakir Hossain.

Out of 224 posts of doctors at the hospital, 128 are vacant, which is the main barrier to providing medical facility to the patients in the outdoor and indoor units, he added. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"The hospital has opened Covid-19 unit with 200 beds at a separate building with 12 ventilation facilities. Nine doctors have to work regularly for ten days at a stretch to serve around 140 patients in the unit. 

"After 10 days of continuous work, the nine doctors go for a 14-day home quarantine with six more additional days for rest.

"So, every ten days, we are falling short of nine doctors, and in this way, 27 seven doctors have to stay out of duty in a month," the director explained.

The treatment system would be severely hampered if the number of doctors is not increased immediately, Bakir Hossain feared.

"On average in a day, a doctor has to serve for 14 to 16 hours, which is the biggest challenge for them," he noted.

"We have to work for a long time at a stretch in this crisis. And if the lengthy working hours continue for some more days, we may fall sick for excessive work pressure," said Mahabubur Rahman, emergency medical officer of SBMCH – who is now in home quarantine with Covid-19 symptoms. 

Md Solaiman Kabir, registrar of the medicine ward, said that a doctor has to work three to four times more than usual.

Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, the only specialised hospital in the division, was established in 1968 with 250 beds.

In 1975, the number of beds was increased to 500, and later in 2011, the number of beds was increased to 1,000.

However, the hospital lacks a sufficient workforce for smooth operation, said sources in the hospital office.

Moreover, there are no additional human resources for 200 more beds added in its Covid-19 unit recently.

When asked after a query about how the Covid-19 unit was functioning, Mohammod Bakir Hossain replied, "The medical college teachers are now working at the unit to support us."

"I have attached 10 doctors on an urgent basis to the hospital - from different upazilas and district hospitals. I need more time to arrange more doctors for the hospital. I am also keeping contact with the higher authorities," said doctor Bashu Deb Das, divisional director of health and family planning office in Barishal.

Economy / Top News

Doctor / doctors / Doctors’ crisis / Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) / Covid-19 crisis / COVID-19 / Coronavirus impact / Covid -19 in Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Several bank audit reports contain cooked up data: BB governor
  • Workers pack undergarments at the packing section of a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 19, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Fatima Tuj Johora
    After US tariffs, jobs hang by a thread in Bangladesh's garments sector
  • Global Islami Bank rectifies 2023 figures, reports major loss instead of profit
    Global Islami Bank rectifies 2023 figures, reports major loss instead of profit

MOST VIEWED

  • None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
    None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
  • File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Bangladesh faces economic impact as US introduces 35% tariff on exports
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Bangladesh reserves above $24b even after making $2b ACU payment 
  • Electric buses for capital: Tk2,500cr to be spent in 2 years
    Electric buses for capital: Tk2,500cr to be spent in 2 years
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    35% US tariff to be disastrous for Bangladesh's exports, say economists and exporters
  • Clashes took place between police and protesters in Sylhet on 2 August. Photo: TBS
    Hasina authorised deadly crackdown on protesters during 2024 July uprising, BBC verifies leaked audio

Related News

  • 2 dengue patients die at Barishal's Sher-e-Bangla Hospital
  • One dies from COVID-19 in 24 hrs
  • Covid-19: Two more deaths, 7 new cases reported in 24hrs
  • Covid-19: One more death, 10 new cases reported in 24hrs
  • Three die from Covid-19 in 24 hrs

Features

Dr Mostafa Abid Khan. Sketch: TBS

Actual impact will depend on how US retailers respond: Mostafa Abid Khan

1d | Economy
Thousands gather to form Bangla Blockade in mass show of support. Photo: TBS

Rebranding rebellion: Why ‘Bangla Blockade’ struck a chord

1d | Panorama
The Mitsubishi Xpander is built with families in mind, ready to handle the daily carpool, grocery runs, weekend getaways, and everything in between. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Now made-in-Bangladesh: 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander

2d | Wheels
Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

5 July 2024: Students announce class boycott amid growing protests

4d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Not only Hasina but also Awami League should be tried: Mirza Fakhrul

Not only Hasina but also Awami League should be tried: Mirza Fakhrul

1h | TBS Today
Trump considering sanctions on Russia

Trump considering sanctions on Russia

2h | TBS World
Iran receives missile shipment from China

Iran receives missile shipment from China

4h | TBS World
Will JPA be able to survive in the political arena?

Will JPA be able to survive in the political arena?

17h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net