ED: Expanding our capacity for medical education

It is good to see that the initiative taken to open a medical university in Khulna, with the bill formulated being similar to those for the laws of Rajshahi, Chittagong, and Sylhet medical universities.

What is particularly encouraging is that research is a core principle mentioned, and indeed, is an area that we have, historically speaking, lagged behind.

This is a step in the right direction as far as expanding our medical capacities go; medical education, research, and health care services will certainly receive a tremendous boost in the region with the presence of a functional medical university.

As we have seen with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the value of skilled medical professionals and researchers has never been higher, and unfortunately, when it comes to Bangladesh, there remains a scarcity. To that end, initiatives such as creating a medical university that ensures quality and is focused on research, will help develop credible physicians and medical researchers.

Now that the plan has been set in place, it is vital that it is carried through, and that there are no unnecessary bottlenecks — which unfortunately appear to be a mainstay with regards to the majority of projects in the country — that derail its progress.

The Bangladesh government has taken up the ambitious and commendable plan to set up a medical university in each division of the country. It is imperative that, for the future of Bangladesh’s health care and medical capacity, this plan is treated with the prioritization it warrants.

Source: https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/editorial/2021/02/03/ed-expanding-our-capacity-for-medical-education