Doctors must pair professional skills with humanity, patriotism: Zubaida

Prime Minister's wife and Ziaur Rahman Foundation Vice-President Dr Zubaida Rahman on Thursday said doctors must combine professional excellence with humanitarian values and patriotism to dedicate themselves to serving the people.

She also urged the new generation of physicians to play a leading role in ensuring quality healthcare services for people in rural areas.

Zubaida made the remarks while 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 as the chief guest.

Congratulating the award recipients, she praised the students for pursuing cultural activities alongside their demanding medical studies. She later presented certificates of recognition to the meritorious students.

"Students who have the opportunity to study medical science are among the most talented in the country. But along with talent, a doctor must have a humane heart to find true fulfilment in serving the sick," she said.

She expressed hope that many medical graduates would return to Bangladesh after pursuing higher education and specialised training abroad to stand by the people and provide healthcare during times of crisis.

Referring to the country's healthcare challenges, Zubaida said Bangladesh has only 0.83 doctors per 1,000 people, with each doctor serving approximately 1,200 to 1,800 patients.

"The crisis is even more severe in rural areas," she said, noting that while 70 to 75 percent of doctors are based in urban centres, around 78 percent of the country's population lives in villages.

She also pointed out that the number of nurses remains well below the standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Zubaida said the shortage of government doctors has made healthcare costs one of the leading causes of poverty, adding that the situation could change if future doctors embraced a commitment to serving the nation from their student years.

She stressed the need to build a healthcare system where no villager dies for lack of treatment and no pregnant woman or newborn loses their life due to preventable causes.