Bangladesh health-worker shortage leaves thousands of hospital posts vacant

Bangladesh had 15.16 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 10,000 people in 2025, far below the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmark of 44.5, The Daily Star reported Oct. 25, citing health ministry data.

Staffing improved from 8.3 per 10,000 in 2019, but shortages persist. August figures showed 9,990 doctor posts and 4,870 nurse posts vacant.

The ministry projects the combined workforce density will reach 31.77 by 2030 at the current pace of training and recruitment, still below the WHO threshold.

Pravath Chandra Biswas, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said recruitment of 5,000 doctors was expected to finish early next year. Nursing authorities have proposed creating 15,000 nurse posts. Experts urged coordinated hiring of nurses, technicians, and support staff alongside doctors to improve patient care.