Do we need more medical colleges?

At a time when the country’s public medical colleges are struggling with severe shortages of qualified teachers and essential infrastructure, the government’s plan to establish several new medical colleges raises questions. According to a report by this daily, the government has already approved the establishment of Thakurgaon Medical College, the first public medical college during its current term, with plans underway to establish seven more such institutions across different districts. While expanding access to medical education and healthcare services is crucial, expansion without careful planning and realistic assessments risks undermining the quality of education.

Reportedly, many existing public medical colleges continue to face acute shortages of teachers, infrastructure, and hospital facilities. The situation is particularly concerning in institutions established over the last decade. Last year, following an assessment of educational standards and available resources, the interim administration reduced seats in 14 public medical colleges to address quality concerns. At present, more than 43 percent of teaching positions in government medical colleges reportedly remain vacant. At senior levels, nearly 69 percent of professor posts are unfilled. Several medical colleges established years ago still lack their own campuses and hospitals. Such deficiencies directly affect classroom instruction, practical training, and clinical exposure—key components of quality medical education. Expanding the number of institutions without addressing these long-standing problems will therefore be unwise.

The approval process of some of these proposed colleges also raises concerns. The Health Sector Reform Commission, formed during the interim government’s tenure, had recommended comprehensive expert assessments before establishing any new institution. Sadly, those recommendations appear to have been overlooked. Reports further suggest that some proposals for new medical colleges were backed by influential political figures of the current government. Similar concerns emerged under the previous Awami League government, which established 20 public medical colleges between 2010 and 2020, many reportedly on political considerations rather than educational necessity. Even during the interim government’s tenure, push for establishing new medical colleges reportedly continued. Such practices should not continue anymore.

We therefore urge the government to place greater emphasis on improving the quality of medical education rather than pursuing expansion. The establishment of new institutions should be part of a broader long-term strategy based on projected healthcare demands, workforce requirements, and available resources. The government should now address the persistent shortage of teachers, complete pending infrastructure projects, and ensure adequate hospitals and laboratories for existing colleges. Last but not the least, strong academic standards and independent assessments must guide all such future decisions.