Improving Bangladesh’s nursing profession essential

Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, was born on May 12, 1820. In her honor, International Nurses Day has been observed since 1965. This year’s theme was: “Our Nurses Our Future: The Economic Power of Care.” On this occasion, various programmes were organised by public and private hospitals and nursing associations. However, it is deeply unfortunate that the day also revealed a troubling reality: 96 percent of nurses in Bangladesh are working for low wages.

According to media reports, 92 percent of nurses directly involved in patient care in Bangladesh suffer from some form of mental health issue. At the same time, despite their heavy workload, 96 percent of them receive low wages. These findings come from a survey conducted by the Society for Nurses’ Safety and Rights (SNSR). The overall picture is deeply troubling. Experts say that institutional hostility, lack of a proper work environment, abuse from patients’ families, and various professional pressures are severely affecting the mental health of nurses.

We often refer to nursing as a noble profession. When we speak of nursing, we mention names like Florence Nightingale, Mother Teresa, and Nurse Edith Cavell. Schoolchildren are taught about their great contributions; they are taught that "service is the highest virtue." But why, then, are our own nurses living in such distress? Nursing in Bangladesh still lacks social respect—because it lacks professional dignity. And yet we all know how crucial nurses are to our healthcare system. So why such discrimination against them?

A nurse spends every minute of every working hour caring for one patient after another. In many hospitals, they do not even get a chance to rest. On top of that, they often have to work extra hours to earn a little more — and even then, the pay is minimal. Despite dedicating their lives to serving people through relentless day-and-night labour, many nurses struggle to properly support their families. It may sound unpleasant, but it must be said: in many cities of Bangladesh, a domestic worker earns more than a nurse. No profession is dishonorable. However, nursing — a profession that involves such intense labour, and where life-and-death situations are at stake — requires more caution and skill than most other jobs. So why is the salary so low?

Additionally, the number of nurses in Bangladesh is far below what is needed. As a result, a single nurse often has to take on responsibilities beyond their capacity. According to the World Health Organisation’s recommendation, Bangladesh requires 310,500 nurses and midwives for healthcare. Currently, there are only 103,151 nurses — just 33.77 percent of the required number.

A comprehensive transformation of Bangladesh’s healthcare system is necessary. A Health Reform Commission has been formed, and it has submitted its report to the Chief Adviser. Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser, has instructed that the recommendations which can be implemented immediately should be carried out without delay. We hope that among these, the improvement of nurses’ living standards is also included and implemented promptly. Without the advancement of the nursing profession, the overall quality of healthcare services will not improve.