The Prime Minister’s wife and Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, Dr Zubaida Rahman, has called on Bangladesh’s future doctors to combine professional excellence with compassion and a strong sense of national responsibility, saying the country’s healthcare system needs dedicated medical professionals willing to serve beyond major cities.
Addressing the annual cultural programme and the Excellence in Education Award 2026 ceremony at the Holy Family Red Crescent Hospital and College auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday, she said medical professionals have a responsibility not only to treat patients but also to help improve access to healthcare across the country.
She encouraged medical students to consider working in rural communities, where shortages of healthcare professionals remain a significant challenge.
According to her, the next generation of doctors can play an important role in narrowing the gap between urban and rural health services.
During the event, Dr Zubaida presented certificates to students recognised for their academic achievements and praised them for balancing demanding medical studies with cultural activities.
She said students admitted to medical education represent some of the country’s brightest minds and have the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to society.
She added that technical expertise alone is not enough for a successful medical career, stressing that compassion and empathy are essential qualities for anyone entrusted with caring for patients.
Dr Zubaida also expressed hope that Bangladeshi medical graduates who pursue higher education and specialist training abroad would return home to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and provide support during emergencies and public health crises.
Highlighting the pressures facing Bangladesh’s health sector, she said the country has around 0.83 doctors for every 1,000 people, leaving each physician responsible for treating between 1,200 and 1,800 patients. She noted that the shortage is felt most severely outside urban centres.
She also pointed to the uneven distribution of healthcare workers, saying that while most doctors are based in towns and cities, the majority of Bangladesh’s population lives in rural areas. She added that the number of nurses also remains below the level recommended by the World Health Organization.
The vice president of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation said the limited number of government-employed doctors contributes to rising healthcare costs, which continue to place a heavy financial burden on many families.
Later, she argued that encouraging medical students to develop a commitment to public service from the beginning of their careers could help address these long-term challenges.
She concluded by expressing the hope that Bangladesh can build a healthcare system in which people in villages have timely access to treatment and where preventable deaths among mothers and newborns become increasingly rare.
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