Curing what ails you: improving health care delivery in Bangladesh through nursing policy

This study examines the situation of nurses in Bangladesh and its relation to the delivery of health care services. Nurses play a pivotal role in the health system of Bangladesh but face many problems and challenges. Nurses believe they are part of a noble profession, but the majority of Bangladeshis view it as a dirty and unworthy occupation. Through surveys and interviews in four private hospitals in and around the capital city of Dhaka this research assesses the problems that nurses feel are most pressing. Shortages in manpower, training and education problems and behaviour are identified as problems for nurses and hospitals. This study presents several policies that hospitals, government agencies and regulatory bodies could use to counter the difficulties facing nurses and the health system in Bangladesh.