Dhaka Desk: Professor Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed has shared his insights on the structural limitations of Bangladesh’s healthcare system, the lack of transparency in medical practice, and the urgent need for modernization. Having spent 46 years in the United States engaged in medical education and clinical practice, he offered a comparative analysis of the healthcare systems of the two countries.
During a recent visit to Dhaka, Dr. Ahmed spoke in an interview with Somoy TV anchor Mujahid Shuvo, where he outlined his views on the current state and future direction of Bangladesh’s medical sector.
Reflecting on medical education, Dr. Ahmed noted that Bangladesh’s early system followed a British-style model that heavily emphasized rote memorization. In contrast, medical education in the United States focuses on hands-on training. Students are taught not only clinical skills but also communication, empathy, and patient interaction—often through simulation and role-playing exercises. According to him, producing competent physicians requires not just theoretical knowledge, but also strong human qualities.
He further explained that in the United States, medical errors or patient deaths are openly reviewed to prevent recurrence. However, in Bangladesh, such discussions are limited. Fear of social backlash or media scrutiny often discourages open acknowledgment and analysis of mistakes, which in turn hampers systemic improvement.
Dr. Ahmed also expressed support for allowing limited family access to ICU patients—under proper infection control measures—arguing that it increases transparency and positively affects patients’ mental well-being.
On technology, he described Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an important advancement in modern medicine, particularly in assisting with rapid diagnosis and recommending appropriate tests. However, he cautioned that AI can never replace a physician’s human touch, empathy, and ethical responsibility.
To address overcrowding in emergency departments, Dr. Ahmed proposed the introduction of an “Urgent Care” model in Bangladesh. This system provides timely and relatively low-cost treatment for non-life-threatening but immediate medical conditions. He shared his experience implementing such a model at a kidney hospital in Sylhet and suggested that similar services could be introduced at government-run upazila health complexes.
He also emphasized the willingness of expatriate Bangladeshi physicians to contribute to the country’s healthcare development. Through various organizations, they are providing training and sharing advanced technologies and global best practices. However, administrative complexities and slow approval processes for new medical specialties continue to hinder progress.
Dr. Ahmed criticized the policy of mandatory retirement for professors in Bangladesh at the age of 56, describing it as a significant limitation. He argued that prematurely removing experienced educators disrupts the quality of medical training. In contrast, professors in the United States often continue teaching at much older ages, ensuring continuity of knowledge and experience.
In conclusion, Professor Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed stressed that meaningful reform in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector requires modernization of medical education, greater transparency in practice, responsible integration of technology, and administrative reform. By combining professional excellence with compassion, he believes Bangladesh can build a more effective and trusted healthcare system.
