One doctor for every 1,847 people in country

There is a registered physician per 1,847 people in the country, while a government physician per 6,579 people, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim told the Jatiya Sangsad on in the city on Monday, reports UNB.
"According to the statistics on physicians who were registered with BMDC (Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council), there is a physician (both government and private) per 1,847 people," he said in response to an unstarred (written) question from treasury bench lawmaker Didarul Alam (Chittagong-4).
Noting that the country's total population is 158.1 million as per the Sample Vital Registration System (SVRS) 2015, the minister said the numbers of physicians who are in service under the Health Department are 22,374 against total 24,028 posts.
"So, there is a doctor working in the government health institution against 6,579 people," he added.
In reply to a tabled starred question from Awami League MP Momotaz Begom (Manikganj-2), the Health Minister said the Bangladesh's earnings from the export of medicines increased to Tk 31.96 billion (3,196 crore) in 2017 from only Tk. 7.33 billion in 2014.
Bangladesh exported medicines to 92 countries including European and American countries and earned Tk 7.33 billion in 2014, Nasim said.
The country exported medicines to 120 countries in 2015, to 127 countries in 2016 and 142 countries in 2017, he said.
Locally produced medicines can fulfil some 98 per cent demand of the country. Bangladesh has already turned into a pharmaceutical exporter from pharmaceutical importer and the medicines of Bangladesh earned fame across the world, Nasim also said.