Photo: STAR

Sending a meritorious student to the medical profession is a huge investment for a nation like Bangladesh with its limited resources. It would be worthy and some consolation for us if doctors are provided with proper environment to thrive and serve the nation in a positive way.
After completion of MBBS at the age of 25+ years, doctors enter a chaotic and tumultuous situation, which is very difficult to cope with. There are not enough government jobs. For 200-300 posts, thousands of candidates compete through a complex exam system, which is neither helpful for the profession, nor is it suitable for that valuable but tenuous period of their career. In the meantime some start non-pay honorary training, some start jobs in private clinics, some study for FCPS part-1entrance exam for PG. Don't get obsessed with the saying, “Doctors are made by spending money from public fund, but they are not serving the nation!” rather say, “As a nation we can't afford and wouldn't let the dogmatic system waste our valuable resources”.
Medical education the world over starts with 5-8 years of basic graduation degree, but we have adopted a 5-years policy. The next step is basic post graduation, which takes 2-4 years, and finally sub-specialisation needs another 3-5 years. On top of it, you need to keep up with updates by reviewing recent advances regularly. This is the British system which we are replicating. Although sub-specialisation is not needed for all, but at least basic post graduation is mandatory for standard health service delivery. Moreover, the irrelevant BCS exams take another 2-3 years.
The question is-- can the nation / the doctors afford so many years for studying only? Then when will they start giving their output?