Diagnostic services at most government hospitals in Bangladesh currently operate only from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., a limited schedule that has forced many patients to seek costlier tests at private facilities later in the day. Despite the availability of modern medical equipment, government hospitals face significant constraints in extending outpatient diagnostic services beyond early afternoon, primarily due to manpower shortages.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) attributes this early cutoff to a substantial gap in staffing. Of 6,406 sanctioned medical technologist posts across public healthcare institutions, only 3,892 are currently filled, leaving roughly 40% of positions vacant. Medical technologists are essential for conducting a variety of tests, including blood analyses, X-rays, and biochemistry. The shortage has resulted in many machines remaining idle during extended hours.

Patients from various districts report difficulties completing necessary diagnostic procedures in government hospitals within the current operational window. Md Omar Faruk, a resident of Mohakhali, shared that after being advised to undergo multiple tests for hypertension at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, he was unable to complete a complete blood count (CBC) test as diagnostic services had ceased by the time he arrived. Such cases compel patients to either make a return trip the following day or pay significantly higher fees at private diagnostic centers.

Cost differences between public and private diagnostic services are notable. For instance, an ECG typically costs Tk80 at government hospitals, compared to Tk250-300 in private centers. Similarly, ultrasonography ranges from Tk150-300 publicly versus Tk1,000-3,500 privately, and an HbA1c test is Tk300 at government facilities compared to Tk1,100-1,400 in private labs. Diagnostic testing represents over a quarter of household out-of-pocket medical expenses, intensifying the financial burden on patients when government services are unavailable.

While government hospitals with emergency and inpatient departments, such as the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, continue diagnostic operations beyond midday for critical cases, outpatient laboratory services mostly cease after early afternoon. Though there have been plans to introduce afternoon shifts in laboratory services, implementation remains stalled due to the manpower deficit.

The DGHS acknowledges ongoing efforts to address these challenges. Director Nurul Islam noted initiatives to reallocate unused equipment within the hospital network and plans to revise the organizational structure to recruit more technologists. These measures are expected to enable hospitals to offer diagnostic services across two shifts.

Experts have proposed involving private sector operators in delivering afternoon diagnostic services within government hospital premises. Dr. Syed Abdul Hamid, a health economics professor, suggested public-private partnerships where government facilities provide space and utilities while private institutions manage testing during extended hours. This approach could improve service availability and reduce out-of-pocket costs by better utilizing existing infrastructure and resources.

In summary, while Bangladesh’s government hospitals possess modern diagnostic equipment that can serve patients affordably, staffing shortages limit operational hours, pushing many to opt for private providers despite higher costs. Efforts to recruit additional technologists and explore private sector collaboration aim to expand access to diagnostic testing throughout the day.