It is encouraging to note that in order to provide us with comprehensive modern healthcare services the government has undertaken a massive programme to increase the number of doctors by the end of this year. Reportedly, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved recruiting a total of 10,000 new doctors in public hospitals across the country.
Improving the quality of medical care in Bangladesh has always been a high priority for governments and a large share of the health budget in Bangladesh is spent for doctors’ salary and other benefits. As salaries are used inefficiently because of poor motivation and performance of doctors, a large chunk of public money gets wasted. Hence, evaluating the performance of doctors is crucial for reinforcing the country’s health system ability. One major source of inefficient use of salaries is conspicuous absence of doctors and nurses in their work stations. It is very unfortunate for us as a nation that our government spends millions from its budget to create doctors and equip them with adequate training but these doctors neglect their duties.
In today’s capitalistic world where materialism and
corruption has crept into every sphere of life,
doctors are deviating away from the
original purpose of their noble profession
In Bangladesh, scarcity of doctors is a very common phenomenon particularly in rural areas where they are most needed. The country currently has one registered physician per 1,847 people while the ratio for a government physician is 1:6,579. Against this backdrop it is saddening that physicians appointed at public hospitals and health centres have long been involved in private practices, ignoring their duties at their respective work places. There are evidences that despite being absent the irresponsible doctors working in district hospitals and upazila health complexes draw full salaries. This is sheer injustice by all means and those doctors engaged in such depravity are shame to the noble profession.
Since ages, doctors have been put on the pedestal of being angels. But, in today’s capitalistic world where materialism and corruption have crept into every sphere of life, doctors are deviating from the original purpose of their noble profession.
In order to put an end to such unethical practices, constant vigilance on the part of authorities concerned is a must. Also there is a need to enact a new and concrete law to ensure harsh punishment to those derelict doctors. Those doctors, who do not have the spirit to serve the people, should leave the service.
