Effective reforms requiring no additional expenditure can address the long-standing crisis, manpower shortage, and management weaknesses in the country’s health sector, Jessore-2 lawmaker Mosleh Uddin Farid told parliament on Wednesday.
Speaking during the parliamentary session, the MP highlighted various real-world problems and called for swift, coordinated initiatives.
“Shortages and mismanagement are rampant in the country’s health system,” Dr Farid said. He noted that an initiative taken in 2007 to upgrade the hospital in Chowgacha Upazila from 50 to 100 beds has still not been implemented.
Drawing on his experience of closely observing the health systems of about 30 countries, the MP claimed that significant change is possible through proper management and supervision alone, without any additional expenditure.
Regarding the doctor shortage, Farid said there is only one doctor for every 10,000 people in Bangladesh, whereas WHO standards require one doctor for every 1,000 people.
Comparatively, India has one doctor for every 900 people, and Cuba has 8.5 doctors per 1,000 people, he added.
The MP further said that a significant ‘system loss’ has been created due to problems such as unauthorised absence, absence from workplaces, staying abroad, and deputation.
“Many receive salaries but do not work. This is possible because of loopholes in the law,” he said.
Although his allotted time had ended, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, considering the importance of his speech, granted an additional two minutes and called upon the Health Minister to take note of the issues.
Dr Farid said that through coordination among the ministries of Finance, Health, and Public Administration under the Prime Minister’s supervision, the shortage of doctors and technical manpower can be largely resolved within two months.
Emphasising the digital economy, he also proposed that a committee be formed through coordination among the ministries of Finance, Law, and Commerce regarding the introduction of cryptocurrency, and that a report be submitted to parliament.
The MP, who went abroad for higher education about 37 years ago and practised as a renowned physician in London for three decades, said he had long desired to return due to his commitment to the country.
Expressing gratitude to Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, he said, “I returned to the country last year inspired by him.” He also thanked his wife for supporting his decision to leave three decades of expatriate life.
Dr Farid recalled that while studying at Jhenaidah Cadet College, he had the opportunity to work in the presence of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, an experience that had an important impact on his life’s journey.
