Government Begins Process to Recruit 5,000 Doctors Amid 40% Staff Vacancy, Says State Minister

PothikTV News Desk: 10 October 2026, 11:34 am

The government has initiated the process to recruit 5,000 doctors to address the ongoing manpower shortage in the country’s health sector, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M A Muhit announced on Saturday.

Speaking to journalists after a workshop reviewing the progress of expanded immunization and other health programs at a hotel in Rajshahi city, the state minister highlighted the measures being taken to strengthen healthcare services across the nation.

Dr. Muhit stated that around 40 percent of positions in the country’s health sector are currently vacant. He noted that hospitals face significant difficulties managing patient pressure due to this shortage, which prompted the initiation of the recruitment process for 5,000 physicians.

Alongside the recruitment efforts, the government is placing strong emphasis on ensuring doctors remain present at their designated workplaces. The state minister claimed that approximately 80 to 90 percent of doctors are currently present at their work stations.

To simplify medical diagnoses and reduce patient suffering, Dr. Muhit stressed the importance of improving diagnostic facilities at the sub-district level. He stated that establishing pathology labs and activating existing machinery in Upazila Health Complexes will make testing easier and facilitate access to necessary treatment.

The state minister also detailed government initiatives aimed at disease prevention, emphasizing that preventing illnesses is far more effective than treating them once they occur. Consequently, the government is giving special attention to preventive healthcare through vaccination, cleanliness drives, and raising public awareness.

Highlighting measles control measures, Dr. Muhit noted that over 20 million children have received vaccines through ongoing immunization programs and special initiatives targeting those previously left out.

Regarding the fight against dengue, the state minister informed that vector control activities, including cleanliness drives and mosquito larva destruction, have been intensified alongside specialized training for medical personnel. He added that 2,000 doctors have already received special training to manage dengue patients.

The workshop was presided over by Rajshahi Divisional Health Director Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman. Director General of Health Services Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi Medical University Professor Dr. Md. Jawadul Huq, and Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Riton attended as special guests.