Healthcare is one of the fundamental needs of human life, yet in Bangladesh today, many hospitals and clinics appear to be "sick" themselves. Ailing infrastructure, poor treatment standards, exploitative syndicates and deep-rooted corruption have pushed the country's healthcare system to the edge of collapse.
In numerous public hospitals, severe shortages of doctors and nurses leave institutions overwhelmed by patient numbers. Long waiting times, limited services, and frequent shortages of essential medicines have become the norm for ordinary citizens. To make matters worse, many facilities are plagued by the influence of middlemen and syndicates, further complicating access to care.
Meanwhile, some private hospitals and clinics seem to have become profit-driven enterprises. Unnecessary medical tests, inflated bills and lack of transparency dominate patient experiences. In many places, infrastructure is outdated, equipment is inadequate and allegations of poor food quality and medicine shortages are widespread.
Urgent and comprehensive reforms are required to tackle this crisis. Strict regulation and monitoring mechanisms must be implemented across all districts. Unlicensed and unauthorised clinics must be shut down, with legal action taken against those responsible. Public hospital infrastructure must be upgraded, essential medicines made consistently available, and food quality ensured. Equally important is the transparent and accountable use of healthcare budgets.
Hospitals and clinics should be sanctuaries of healing and trust. When mismanagement, exploitation, and neglect take root in these institutions, public confidence is lost. The healthcare system must not only be reformed-it must be run with responsibility, compassion, and integrity. There is no room for delay. The well-being of a nation depends on the health of its people. Ensuring equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare is not a privilege but a right that must be upheld at all costs.
Rakhi Akter
Student, Eden Mohila College
rakhiaktermim85@gmail.com
