State Minister for Health M A Muhit said on Thursday that it is not possible to advance the health sector relying solely on doctors, as the country faces a severe shortage of nurses and midwives.
Speaking at a seminar held at National Institute of Population Research and Training in Dhaka, the state minister noted that the current number of these professionals needs to be increased by 3 to 5 per cent.
Highlighting a significant disparity in healthcare access, Muhit pointed out that while 80 per cent of the population resides in rural villages, 80 per cent of the country’s doctors are based in urban areas.
Addressing the issue of foreign exchange, the state minister observed that high-level professionals, such as doctors and engineers, contribute less to remittances compared to general workers.
He expressed disagreement with the notion of sending more doctors and engineers abroad to boost remittances, though he acknowledged the value of going overseas for the purposes of research and education.
He further clarified that the country has not yet reached a state where it can afford to send doctors and nurses abroad.
Regarding future healthcare security, Muhit mentioned that the government is taking steps to prepare for future pandemics and the prevention of infectious diseases, noting that these initiatives have been integrated into the national budget.
