Bangladesh’s medical professionals are among the lowest paid in South Asia, a trend that threatens to undermine the country’s healthcare system. Despite the crucial role of doctors and nurses in national health, remuneration remains strikingly low compared to neighboring countries, prompting growing concern among experts and policymakers.
Dr. Abdul Mukit, a recent MBBS graduate from a private medical college in Sirajganj, now struggles to establish his career in Dhaka. Offers from private hospitals in the capital reportedly average a monthly salary of only BDT 20,000. Speaking to The Daily Industry, Dr. Mukit said, “Many of our classmates work in private hospitals and clinics where salaries are very low. In Dhaka, starting salaries for MBBS degree holders range from BDT 18,000 to 25,000 per month. This leaves young doctors under significant financial stress and negatively impacts their motivation and performance.”
Salaries Lag Behind Neighboring Countries: Research indicates that Bangladeshi doctors earn an average annual salary of BDT 3 lakh, while nurses earn around BDT 1.9 lakh. In comparison, doctors in neighboring countries earn significantly more: India BDT 16.44 lakh, Nepal BDT 10.32 lakh, Sri Lanka BDT 4.8 lakh, and Pakistan BDT 4.1 lakh per year. For nurses, annual salaries in India average BDT 6.9 lakh, Nepal BDT 5.2 lakh, Sri Lanka BDT 2.4 lakh, and Pakistan BDT 1.54 lakh.
The disparity becomes even starker when compared with developed countries. In the United Kingdom, a doctor earns approximately BDT 98 lakh annually-around 33 times more than a Bangladeshi doctor-while a UK nurse earns BDT 52.33 lakh annually, roughly 25 times more than a Bangladeshi counterpart.
Dr. Mahfuz Ahmed, a healthcare economist at The Daily Industry, commented, “The low salaries for doctors and nurses in Bangladesh not only discourage talent retention but also drive skilled professionals abroad, creating a human resource crisis in the health sector.” Structural Challenges in the Health Sector: Professor Syed Abdul Hamid of the Health Economics Institute at Dhaka University explained the root of the problem. “Compared to other South Asian countries, Bangladesh pays doctors much less. Within the civil service, there’s limited scope to differentiate salaries by profession. Although there are opportunities to provide additional benefits, doctors in the health cadre receive relatively low security and limited perks. Promotions are slow and often contingent on higher degrees. While performance-based incentives are common in many countries, they are absent here.”
Dr. Ali Aftab, a senior doctor in the government health service, elaborated, “In developed countries, high salaries are often paired with strict regulations. For example, public doctors usually cannot engage in private practice and provide full-time services, which justifies the high pay. In Bangladesh, low government salaries are partially offset by allowing private practice. However, this is a compensatory measure rather than a solution.”
He added, “The government’s salary structure is largely cadre-based, meaning pay scales are determined by rank rather than skills or market value. While it is difficult for the government to create a separate high-paying structure for doctors alone without creating disparities across other cadres, the current system undervalues health professionals.”
Private vs. Public Sector Disparities: Recent research presented at a seminar by the Alliance for Health Reforms Bangladesh (AHRB) highlighted discrepancies between public and private sector employment. Of the country’s healthcare workforce, approximately 1.5 lakh professionals are employed in public institutions, while private sector employment surpasses 1.9 lakh. Nurses, midwives, and support staff are increasingly concentrated in private institutions, yet salaries remain lowest among South Asian countries.
Dr. Mahmud Hossain, Secretary of the National Doctors Forum (NDF), emphasized to The Daily Industry, “Bangladeshi doctors earn significantly less than their counterparts in other South Asian countries. The government needs to implement a separate, competitive salary structure for health professionals. Without it, the sector will continue to suffer, and the migration of talent abroad will persist. A holistic approach is necessary, ensuring fair wages for all.”
Policy Recommendations from Experts: During a discussion at Sirajdikanda Auditorium in Dhaka, experts recommended several measures to address the critical situation: Establish a separate and competitive salary structure for healthcare professionals. Introduce special allowances for doctors and nurses serving in remote or challenging areas. Set minimum wage standards for private sector healthcare staff. Implement performance-based bonuses linked to patient satisfaction and quality of care.
Professor Syed Abdul Hamid, who chaired the session, highlighted, “Doctors and nurses are the backbone of our health system. Their motivation, performance, and service quality are directly affected by inadequate pay. Long-term neglect will compromise the health system’s effectiveness.”
The seminar, organized by AHRB, featured Dr. A.K. Azad Khan, Chairman of the Health Reform Commission, as the chief guest. Professor Dr. Syed Md. Akram Hossain, Chairman of the Clinical Oncology Department at Bangladesh Medical University, presented the main research findings.
Expert Opinions on Retention and Motivation: Dr. Mahmud Hossain stressed the link between low pay and workforce attrition: “When salaries are not competitive, young doctors and nurses seek employment abroad. This not only creates shortages at home but also affects service quality. The government must consider a comprehensive review of compensation policies to retain talent.”
Dr. Hamid added, “The lack of performance-based incentives further demotivates professionals. In other countries, incentives are tied to efficiency, patient care, and skill development. Implementing similar systems in Bangladesh could significantly improve morale and service outcomes.”
Impact on Healthcare Quality: Experts warn that the continued underpayment of healthcare professionals threatens the quality of patient care. When salaries are low, staff turnover increases, experienced professionals leave for better opportunities, and training and development of junior staff are neglected. Dr. Mahfuz Ahmed explained, “The issue is systemic. Low pay discourages new graduates from joining the public sector, forces overreliance on private facilities, and exacerbates inequalities in healthcare access. Without immediate reform, Bangladesh risks a severe talent drain and compromised healthcare delivery.”
Bangladesh’s doctors and nurses, despite being critical to national health, face the lowest pay among South Asian countries, creating challenges for retention, motivation, and service quality. Experts urge urgent reforms including separate, competitive pay structures, allowances for challenging postings, and performance-based incentives. Addressing these issues is vital not only to retain talent but also to ensure that the nation’s healthcare system remains robust and capable of meeting growing demands. Dr. Mahfuz Ahmed of The Daily Industry warned, “Unless we value our healthcare workforce adequately, the system will suffer long-term consequences. Competitive salaries, career development opportunities, and recognition are key to sustaining an effective healthcare sector in Bangladesh.”
