Most union health and family welfare centres in Durgapur upazila of Netrokona are remaining locked, forcing rural patients to return without treatment, a report published on August 15 said. Of five centres across the upazila’s seven unions, only the Birishiri Union centre was found open during a field visit. Patients are being pushed to government and private hospitals in Durgapur town, increasing both travel hardship and treatment costs for poor and vulnerable residents.

The five centres in Kullagara, Chandigarh, Birishiri, Kakuirgara and Gaonkandia should collectively have 25 staff members, including medical officers, pharmacists, family welfare visitors, attendants and guards. Only eight are currently working, leaving 17 posts vacant. The report also said medicine shortages have persisted for about two and a half years. Residents said they often receive prescriptions for medicines to buy outside, which some cannot afford.

The upazila family planning office has four employees against 10 positions, while the upazila family planning officer serves in additional charge and visits on Mondays. Officer Kamal Hossain said two staff members are operating five centres, meaning another centre remains locked when they visit one. District deputy director Rafiqul Islam said shortages exist nationwide and medicines may arrive within three months.