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Prime Minister’s wife and Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, Dr Zubaida Rahman, on Thursday urged medical students to combine professional excellence with compassion, patriotism and a strong sense of public service, stressing that the country’s future healthcare system depends on doctors who are willing to serve people beyond urban centres.
Addressing the annual cultural programme and the Excellence in Education Award 2026 ceremony at the Holy Family Red Crescent Hospital and College auditorium in the capital, she said the next generation of physicians must play a leading role in expanding quality healthcare services, particularly in rural Bangladesh where access to medical care remains inadequate.
“Along with professional skills as doctors, one must embrace humanitarian values and patriotism to dedicate oneself to serving the people of the country,” she said. “The new generation of doctors must play a crucial role in ensuring healthcare services for people in rural areas.”
Dr Zubaida congratulated the students who received awards for their outstanding academic performance and commended them for maintaining cultural activities alongside their demanding medical studies. She later presented certificates of recognition to the award recipients.
She said students who earn the opportunity to study medicine represent some of the country’s brightest talents, but academic excellence alone is not enough.
“Along with talent, a doctor must have a humane heart to truly achieve fulfilment in life by serving the sick,” she said, encouraging future physicians to place compassion at the centre of their profession.
Expressing hope that many aspiring doctors would pursue advanced education and specialised training abroad, she urged them to return home and contribute to strengthening Bangladesh’s healthcare system.
“I hope many of you will come back after obtaining higher degrees and training, stand beside the people and provide medical services during times of crisis,” she said.
Highlighting the country’s healthcare challenges, Dr Zubaida cited statistics showing that Bangladesh has only 0.83 doctors for every 1,000 people, with each physician serving an estimated 1,200 to 1,800 patients. She said the shortage is significantly more severe in rural areas.
She noted that while 70 to 75 percent of the country’s doctors are concentrated in urban areas, nearly 78 percent of the population lives in villages, creating a serious imbalance in access to healthcare. She also pointed out that the number of nurses remains well below the standard recommended by the World Health Organization.
The Prime Minister’s wife said the shortage of government doctors has contributed to high out-of-pocket medical expenses, making healthcare costs one of the major causes of poverty for many families.
“If the commitment to serve the nation is embraced from student life, it will be possible to change this situation in the future,” she said.
Calling for a more equitable healthcare system, Dr Zubaida said Bangladesh should strive to build a system where no villager dies for lack of medical treatment and no pregnant woman or newborn loses their life due to preventable causes.
Her address underscored the importance of producing not only skilled physicians but also socially responsible healthcare professionals committed to improving access to quality medical services across the country.
