State Minister for Health Dr. MA Muhith. Photo: Collected
The government has started the process of recruiting 5,000 doctors to address the long-standing manpower shortage in the health sector, said State Minister for Health Dr. MA Muhith. He also said the government is working to set up pathology labs in upazila health complexes, ensure the presence of doctors at work, and strengthen disease prevention activities.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhith shared this information with reporters after a workshop on reviewing the progress of expanded vaccination and other health programs at a hotel in Rajshahi city on Saturday (October 10).
The State Minister said, “About 40 percent of the posts in the country’s health sector are vacant. Due to manpower shortage, hospitals are having trouble handling the pressure of patients. To overcome this crisis, the process of recruiting 5,000 doctors has started. In addition, emphasis is being placed on ensuring the presence of doctors at work.” He also claimed that currently about 80 to 90 percent of doctors are present at work.
Stressing on increasing the opportunities for disease diagnosis at the upazila level, Dr. MA Muhith said, ‘If pathology labs are established in upazila health complexes and existing equipment is activated, disease diagnosis will be easier. This will reduce the suffering of patients and make it easier to get the necessary medical services.’
Highlighting the government’s activities to prevent measles, the state minister said, “More than 20 million children have been vaccinated through the ongoing vaccination program and special programs to bring children who have been excluded from vaccination under the program.”
He also said that cleanliness activities, mosquito and larva control, and training of doctors have been strengthened to combat dengue. Two thousand doctors have already been given special training to treat dengue patients.
The State Minister said, “Preventing disease is more effective than treating it after it occurs. That is why the government is giving special importance to preventive healthcare through vaccination, cleanliness and increasing public awareness.”
The workshop was presided over by Rajshahi Divisional Health Director Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman. Special guests were Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi Medical University Professor Dr. Md. Jawadul Haque and Administrator of Rajshahi City Corporation Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Riton.