A growing number of doctors are discouraging their children from entering the medical profession, raising concerns about the future of healthcare in South Asia. A recent survey in India found that 91 percent of physicians would not want their children to pursue medicine, a trend experts warn may also be emerging in Bangladesh.
At the core of this shift lies an overstretched healthcare system. In public hospitals, doctors routinely face overwhelming patient loads with limited resources and support. The result is not just long working hours but chronic exhaustion, leading to burnout, reduced motivation and compromised quality of care. The pressure begins early in medical training and persists throughout a doctor’s career.
Equally concerning is the growing threat to workplace safety. Reports of verbal abuse, intimidation and even physical assault have become increasingly common. Such conditions foster fear and defensive medical practices, where decisions may be influenced by legal concerns rather than clinical judgement.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed a silent mental health crisis among healthcare workers. High levels of anxiety, depression and burnout remain largely unaddressed, with limited institutional support available.
At the same time, trust between doctors and patients is eroding. The rise of misinformation and social media scrutiny has intensified pressure on physicians, often without adequate backing from institutions.
Experts emphasise that these challenges are systemic rather than individual. Addressing them will require comprehensive reforms, including improved workplace safety, fair legal frameworks, reduced workloads and better mental health support.
As Bangladesh considers health sector reforms, the warning signs are clear. Without urgent action, the profession risks losing future talent, threatening the stability of the healthcare system for years to come.
The writer is a Health Policy Analyst and the Chairman of Department of Clinical Oncology at Bangladesh Medical University. E-mail: [email protected]
