The tragic deaths of six newborn babies within just two hours at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on May 27, 2026, have shaken the conscience of the nation. Moreover, in recent months, around 500 children lost their lives due to measles and measles-like symptoms. These losses of lives under unacceptable circumstances have raised serious questions about the safety standards, infrastructure, and accountability mechanisms within Bangladesh's healthcare system. Citizens are losing their trust on the healthcare system of the country. Despite having different development-oriented and reform-oriented governments through the past few decades, healthcare sector remained the worst case scenario and now these incidents have exposed a deeper and more alarming reality for everyone: Bangladesh's healthcare system has been suffering from chronic neglect for decades.
Digitalization can also play a crucial role in improving healthcare management. Electronic health records, digital maintenance tracking systems, inventory management tools, and transparent procurement processes can reduce inefficiencies and improve service delivery.
The state of healthcare infrastructure in Bangladesh remains deeply concerning. Although the country has made significant progress in reducing maternal and child mortality over the past few decades, the quality of hospital services has not improved at the same pace. Many hospitals continue to operate with outdated equipment, inadequate maintenance systems, overcrowded wards, insufficient emergency preparedness, and poor environmental conditions. The situation is particularly alarming in government hospitals, where millions of low-income and middle-income citizens seek treatment every year.
In many public hospitals across the country, patients encounter unsanitary environments that would be unacceptable in any modern healthcare system. Dirty floors, overflowing waste bins, poorly maintained washrooms, inadequate ventilation, and overcrowded wards have become common sights. These conditions not only compromise patient comfort but also significantly increase the risk of infections. It is not uncommon to hear people express reluctance to visit public hospitals because they fear contracting additional illnesses during their stay.
The problem extends beyond cleanliness. Many government hospitals suffer from a shortage of functional medical equipment. Machines remain broken for months or even years due to delayed repairs and lack of maintenance budgets. Patients frequently discover that diagnostic facilities are unavailable despite being officially listed as services provided by the hospital. As a result, they are forced to seek tests and procedures at private diagnostic centers, often at considerable personal expense. This situation creates another serious concern.
Many patients and healthcare observers have long alleged that some medical professionals routinely refer patients to private clinics and diagnostic centers for tests that could potentially be conducted within public hospitals if proper facilities were maintained. Such practices place an additional financial burden on patients. The patients often become the victims of a fierce syndicate at the public hospitals. Doctors, nurses, support staffs, medical representatives and even ambulance drivers are part of this vicious syndicate. The government must eliminate these syndicates to reduce the hassles of the patients.
The consequences of these shortcomings are devastating for ordinary citizens. Public hospitals are intended to provide affordable healthcare services. However, many patients end up spending substantial amounts on diagnostic tests, medications, transportation, and unofficial expenses. For families already struggling with economic hardship, a serious illness can quickly become a financial catastrophe. Medical expenses often force households to borrow money, sell assets, or fall into long-term debt.
Meanwhile, the private healthcare sector, despite offering better facilities in some cases, remains inaccessible to a large portion of the population. Private hospitals and clinics frequently charge fees beyond the reach of ordinary Bangladeshis. Although many private institutions maintain higher standards than public hospitals, they are not free from criticism. Complaints regarding excessive charges, unnecessary medical procedures, inadequate regulation, and lack of transparency continue to surface regularly.
Hospitals are places where human lives depend on the proper functioning of every system, including electricity, oxygen supply, ventilation, air-conditioning, sanitation, and emergency response mechanisms. Any lapse in maintenance can have catastrophic consequences. Therefore, strict monitoring and regular inspections are essential to ensure that all facilities comply with safety standards.
However, focusing solely on private hospitals would ignore the larger crisis affecting the country's healthcare system. Across Bangladesh, public hospitals continue to struggle with severe resource constraints and management deficiencies. These problems become especially visible during disease outbreaks. In recent months, hundreds of children have reportedly died from measles and measles-like symptoms at different public hospitals in different parts of the country. While investigations often identify gaps in vaccination coverage, inadequate preparedness and limited healthcare capacity have also contributed to the suffering of affected families.
Improving Bangladesh's healthcare system requires a comprehensive and long-term strategy. The first priority must be strengthening public healthcare facilities. Government hospitals should be transformed into institutions that citizens can trust. This transformation requires substantial investment in infrastructure, modern equipment, maintenance systems, workforce development, and patient-centered services. Hospitals must be clean, functional, and capable of providing high-quality care regardless of a patient's economic status.
Equally important is the recruitment and retention of qualified healthcare professionals. Doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff form the backbone of any healthcare system. They require adequate training, fair compensation, professional development opportunities, and supportive working conditions. At the same time, mechanisms must be established to ensure ethical conduct and accountability.
The government must also strengthen regulatory oversight of private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers. Regular inspections, transparent reporting requirements, and strict enforcement of safety standards are necessary to protect patients. Facilities that fail to comply with regulations should face meaningful penalties, while institutions demonstrating excellence should be encouraged and recognized.
Digitalization can also play a crucial role in improving healthcare management. Electronic health records, digital maintenance tracking systems, inventory management tools, and transparent procurement processes can reduce inefficiencies and improve service delivery. Technology alone cannot solve all problems, but it can enhance accountability and operational effectiveness.
Poor healthcare undermines economic productivity, deepens poverty, increases social inequality, and weakens public confidence in state institutions. Most importantly, it places future generations at risk. A strong healthcare system is not a luxury; it is a necessity for national development and human dignity. Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable achievements in many sectors over the past decades. There is no reason why similar progress cannot be achieved in healthcare. However, success will require political commitment, adequate investment, effective governance, and a willingness to confront long-standing weaknesses. We hope all lives will be protected from our decades-long negligence.
The writer is Chief Editor at Mohammadi News Agency (MNA) and Editor at Kishore Bangla
