Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain has urged doctors to treat patients with humanity, ethics, and compassion while earning their trust during critical illnesses.
"During critical illness, after Allah, people place their greatest trust in doctors. Therefore, physicians must work not only to cure diseases but also with humanity, ethics, and a spirit of service," he said on Saturday.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as the special guest at a discussion titled "DMCians' Thoughts on Modernizing Bangladesh's Healthcare System," held at the college auditorium after the inauguration of DMC Day 2026, organized to mark the 81st founding anniversary of Dhaka Medical College.
The health minister said a doctor's reassuring words and compassionate behavior can significantly aid a patient's recovery, stressing the importance of strengthening medical ethics and ensuring patients are treated with dignity, respect, and empathy.
He also urged people to embrace a culture of giving rather than only receiving. Recalling a lesson from the early days of his career, he said the head of his organization encouraged employees to donate 10% of their monthly salaries to social welfare.
"That experience taught me that true satisfaction comes from doing something for others," he said.
Praising doctors for their contributions during the Covid-19 pandemic, the measles outbreak, and recent floods, Bakul said healthcare professionals had stood beside affected people despite personal hardships.
"During the Chittagong floods, doctors worked on the ground even late at night, demonstrating their professional commitment and ethical responsibility," he said.
The minister said the government is giving the highest priority to the healthcare sector by providing modern equipment for medical education and research.
He cited the example of a medical college receiving a modern microscope worth around Tk80-90 lakh shortly after students requested it.
The health minister said the government would begin modernizing community clinics, upazila health complexes, and family welfare centers from next month to narrow the urban-rural healthcare gap and ensure quality medical services nationwide.
Addressing doctors, he said people living in rural areas deserve the same standard of healthcare as residents of Dhaka.
"The government is gradually fulfilling the legitimate demands of doctors and will continue to do so. However, any delay in providing services to the public will not be accepted," he said.
He also urged newly qualified doctors to dedicate themselves to serving people from the day they receive their professional certification.