The Health Ministry has taken an initiative to recruit 5,000 doctors to fill vacant posts and ensure quality healthcare services.

Professor Dr. Md Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, disclosed this while talking to reporters on Sunday after the second session of the first day of the Deputy Commissioners' (DC) Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

“The ministry has identified the need for over 5,000 doctors in entry-level positions along with the need for specialists in modern hospitals. The process of creating these positions has already begun including addressing shortages at union levels and in medical colleges, he said.

“We are making every effort to fill the vacant positions, both locally and through the Public Service Commission where necessary. This remains our top priority,” he added.

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum was also present during the session with DCs.

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“The DCs have raised various issues particularly those related to hospitals, medical colleges, and other challenges in the health sector, which we are aware of and are working to address,” said the health adviser.

She stressed the need for preventing diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, increasing public awareness, and tackling the growing use of e-cigarettes among children.

Dr. Md Sayedur Rahman  said DCs pointed out the shortage of manpower despite infrastructural developments,  overcrowding in hospitals, and the demand for establishing and operationalising Institutes of Health Technology in various districts.

He said DCs should work alongside law enforcement agencies to regulate unauthorised hospitals and clinics and ensure better healthcare services.