Renowned cardiologist Dr Zubaida Rahman on Sunday said Bangladesh has only 3,000 anaesthesiologists for a population of nearly 200 million, which is 0.58 anaesthesiologists per 100,000 people, highlighting a severe shortage of trained specialists.
“There is a shortage of trained anaesthesiologists and critical care specialists in our 64 districts, comprising 593 upazilas, 4,599 unions and 90,049 villages. There are only 3,000 anaesthesiologists for a population of almost 200 million,” she said.
Zubaida made the remarks while addressing the 4th International Anaesthesiology Conference 2026, organised by the Bangladesh Society of Anaesthesiologists, Critical Care and Pain Physicians as the chief guest.
She said the present government's vision was to build a healthier and more compassionate Bangladesh where everyone's health mattered.
“Thousands of our countrymen and women are facing hardships resulting from many years of inattention to this sector,” she said, adding that the current availability stood at 0.58 anaesthesiologists per 100,000 people.
She noted that the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery recommends four to five anaesthesiologists per 100,000 people.
Anaesthesiologists play a vital role in healthcare beyond operating theatres, ensuring safe surgery, managing pain, providing critical care and saving lives, she said.
“Only if we can provide an adequate number of trained anaesthesiologists can we ensure proper surgical care in the remote corners of Bangladesh,” she added.
Zubaida said a strong healthcare system could not be built through infrastructure and technology alone, but required skilled, motivated and adequately supported professionals.
She also stressed that ensuring doctors' safety, dignity and professional well-being was closely linked to better and safer patient care.
Advancement in specialised fields such as anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine should remain a priority, she said, adding that the society could contribute to strengthening the healthcare system through scientific conferences, postgraduate training, research, professional development and international collaboration.
She expressed hope that the conference would facilitate the exchange of scientific knowledge, generate practical recommendations to improve specialist services and expand training opportunities to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
Congratulating the society on bringing together distinguished professionals from home and abroad, she said the conference provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge, share experiences and discuss the future of anaesthesia, critical care and pain medicine in Bangladesh.
BNP Standing Committee member and Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain and Farhad Halim Doner, among others, attended the programme.