Physician shortage is not new in Bangladesh, but the crisis is particularly severe when it comes to radiologists. Although there is no official data on the total number of radiologists in the country, a study published in the Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science (BJMS) estimates the figure to be around 700, which is alarmingly low for a densely populated country like Bangladesh. This means Bangladesh has only four radiologists for every one million people. The shortage often causes delays in diagnosing critical illnesses, including cancer, leading patients to prolonged suffering and health complications. Like elsewhere in the world, Bangladesh is observing the International Day of Radiology (IDoR) on November 8 amid this pressing concern.
According to professionals in the sector, the number of radiologists is extremely limited in district- and Upazila-level hospitals outside Dhaka. As a result, patients often have to wait days or even weeks to get X-ray, ultrasonography, CT scan, or MRI reports, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Such delays can be life-threatening for trauma and stroke patients. Many patients are even forced to travel to divisional cities for these tests, which imposes a heavy financial burden on low-income families.
A specialist at the National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICHR), who requested anonymity, told Bonik Barta, “Where a tumor is located, how large it is, how far it has spread, and in which stage it is — radiologists determine these based on tests. Tests like mammography for breast cancer or CT scans for liver cancer are essential before starting treatment and deciding on chemotherapy or surgery.”
He added, “Cancer is a highly sensitive disease. If reports are delayed, the risk of cancer spreading increases. Government hospitals remain overcrowded, and patients often wait a long time for their turn. Many are compelled to go to private diagnostic centers, but most of our patients are from financially challenged backgrounds and cannot afford those costs. This leads to serious delays in treatment. There are many vacant radiologist posts, especially outside Dhaka. Appointing manpower there could ease the pressure significantly.”
Dr. Ishtiaque Mohammad Behnom, press and publication secretary of the Bangladesh Society of Radiology and Imaging (BSRI), told Bonik Barta, “The number of radiologists in our country is extremely low. Below one thousand. Most of them are based in Dhaka. Very few work outside Dhaka. To address this shortage, several courses have been introduced under the Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) and the Bangladesh College of Physicians & Surgeons (BCPS). However, the workforce is still far below compared to the national needs.” He also mentioned, “We’re organizing a seminar to mark the International Day of Radiology.”
It is estimated that a country should ideally have 100 to 110 radiologists per one million people. A 2022 study conducted by BJMS found that in 2018, Bangladesh had only 700 radiologists. Among South Asian countries, Pakistan has the lowest number of radiologists, followed by Bangladesh. Country-wise survey reveals the highest ratio in Sri Lanka, with eight radiologists per million people, followed by India (seven), Bhutan (five), Nepal (five), Bangladesh (four), and Pakistan (two).
Dr. Shibendu Majumder, former professor of Radiology and Imaging at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, told Bonik Barta, “Radiology and imaging are the foundation of medical diagnosis, particularly in cancer detection. Our work isn’t limited to identifying cancer; we also determine its type, as each requires different treatment. The role of radiology has expanded greatly, especially with the introduction of MRI and CT scan technologies. Though many hospitals now have these machines, they often remain unused due to a lack of skilled personnel, which eventually leads to equipment damage.”
The International Day of Radiology is celebrated across the world every year on November 8. The theme for this year is “Empowering Healthcare through Excellence in Imaging.” The event originated from European Radiology Day, first observed in 2011 in memory of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the discoverer of X-rays. Initially, the day was held on February 10, which was also Röntgen’s death anniversary, under the initiative of the European Society of Radiology (ESR). Later, the observance date was shifted to November 8, marking the day X-rays were discovered. Since then, the International Day of Radiology (IDoR) and the World Radiography Day have been celebrated globally on this date.