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He stressed that Bangladesh’s health system is struggling with a huge burden of critically unwell patients, delays in diagnosis and definitive care, overcrowded tertiary hospitals, and high preventable mortality.

Prof Sahabuddin Talukder, a cardiologist at Evercare Hospital, said most doctors lack motivation for emergency medicine due to limited salary and job scope, and the number of specialists in the field is too low to meet the country’s demand.

He proposed mandatory training in emergency medicine to doctors from the internship stage.

Mohammad Iftekhar Hussain Pavel, an adult and paediatric emergency specialist and also lecturer at Monash University, shared his experience at the emergency service in Australia and suggested improving the service in Bangladesh to improve overall healthcare services.

Prof Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, BNP’s media cell chief, called for introducing recommended mandatory first aid courses in educational institutions, and regular emergency drills at different organisations.

Addressing the discussion, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain asked the visiting doctors to prepare a summary report on emergency services and hand it over to him so that he can present it before the premier.

Prothom Alo assistant editor Firoz Chowdhury moderated the season.