Bangladesh public hospitals short of over 9,400 doctors

Hospitals are also short of 5,032 nurses and 8,784 of health workers, heath minister says

More than 9,400 doctor positions remain vacant in government hospitals across Bangladesh, the health minister has told parliament.

Speaking during a question-and-answer session on Wednesday, Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said 9,407 of the country's 41,806 approved doctor posts are currently vacant.

The minister also said there are shortages among nurses and support staff.

Of the 49,501 approved nursing positions, 5,032 remain unfilled, while 8,784 health worker posts are vacant out of a total of 26,544 approved positions.

Sakhawat said the government is appointing 450 assistant surgeons through the 45th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, 1,682 through the 46th BCS, 1,331 through the 47th BCS and 650 through the 50th BCS.

The recruitment of senior staff nurses is also under way through the Bangladesh Public Service Commission, he added.

The figures highlight continuing manpower shortages in the country's public healthcare sector, despite repeated calls to increase recruitment.