Shortage of doctors disrupt service at Pabna mental hospital

Pabna Correspondent: When the country is observing World Mental Health Day today (Saturday), Pabna Mental Hospital (PMH), the country`s largest specialised hospital for treatment of mental diseases, struggles to provide treatment for its patients.

According to sources, crises deepen in the 500-bed hospital due to lack of acute shortage of doctors and staff.

It is a specialised hospital but still there is virtually no specialised physician. Only 8 doctors are working in the 500-bed Pabna mental hospital.

Most of the buildings were constructed during 50s. The walls and roofs of the buildings turned week. If there is heavy shower rain water enters the rooms through the roofs, sources said.

Neglected by the family and society mental patients come here to get cured but they are reportedly being neglected here.

Pabna Mental Hospital, an establishment for providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for mentally retarded persons is the first and the only such hospital in the country, established in 1957 at Hemayetpur area on 111.25 acres of land.  

Initially the number of beds was 60 and subsequently was increased to 200. Later in 1966 another 200 beds were added. The hospital was upgraded to 500 beds for wider mental health service but it limps with poor facility and struggles to provide better treatment.

risingbd/Pabna/Oct 10, 2015/Shahin/Mukul