Bangladesh faces shortage of 8,000 doctors: Health Adviser
Staff Correspondent
Bangladesh is currently facing a shortage of around 8,000 doctors, Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan has revealed.
She disclosed the figure on Monday (April 21) during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Railways and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) at the Ministry of Health in Dhaka.
The agreement aims to facilitate the joint management of ten railway hospitals across the country.
Speaking at the event, Nurjahan Begum said efforts are underway to fill the gap, including the recruitment of 2,000 doctors through a special Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination.
“These hospitals will serve both railway staff and the general public, expanding access to health care in underserved areas,” she said.
The MoU was signed by Railway Secretary Fahimul Islam and Health Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman. Also present was Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Railways.
The partnership marks a step toward revitalising underused railway hospitals by integrating them into the broader national healthcare system.
Health professionals have long warned of a critical shortage of medical personnel in Bangladesh, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.
