Medical Education System in Bangladesh

The medical education system in Bangladesh has evolved significantly over the past five decades. From a handful of institutions at the time of independence in 1971, the country now boasts over 110 government and private medical colleges, producing thousands of doctors each year.

Medical education in Bangladesh is regulated by the Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council (BMDC), the statutory body responsible for setting standards, approving curricula, and granting registration to medical practitioners. BMDC ensures that the MBBS degree offered by all recognized institutions maintains uniformity and quality across the country.

Navy Medical College, Chattogram (NMCC), as an affiliated institution under the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), follows the BMDC-prescribed curriculum and examination system, ensuring that its graduates hold the same status and recognition as those from other leading medical colleges in Bangladesh.

Structure of Medical Education

Medical education in Bangladesh consists of three broad stages:

• Undergraduate Program (MBBS/BDS):
  Duration: 5 years of academic study + 1 year of compulsory rotating internship.
  Entry: Through a competitive national admission test for government and private medical colleges.
• Postgraduate Programs:
  Degrees and Diplomas (MD, MS, FCPS, MPhil, Diploma courses) offered by universities and professional bodies.
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD):
  Short courses, workshops, and CME programs for practicing doctors.

MBBS Curriculum (As Approved by BMDC)

The MBBS curriculum in Bangladesh is uniform across all recognized medical colleges, ensuring consistency of training. It is divided into four phases, spread over five academic years.

Examination	Timing	Subjects of the Examinations
First Professional MBBS	At the end of 1½ Years of the course	Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry
Second Professional MBBS	At the end of 2½ Years of the course	Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
Third Professional MBBS	At the end of 3½ Years of the course	Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Final Professional MBBS	At the end of 5 Years of the course	Medicine, General Surgery, Eye & ENT, Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Key Features of the BMDC Curriculum

• Integrated Learning: Basic and clinical sciences are taught in a complementary manner, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.
• Competency-Based: Emphasis on producing doctors skilled in patient care, communication, ethics, and lifelong learning.
• Community Orientation: Strong focus on preventive medicine, public health, and exposure to rural healthcare settings.
• Skill Development: Training in practical skills such as history taking, physical examination, first aid, surgical techniques, and clinical decision-making.
• Medical Ethics: Mandatory instruction in professionalism, doctor-patient relationships, and global health standards.