Rebuilding lives under injury: The vacuum in Bangladesh’s rehabilitation sector

Patients who receive effective physiotherapy and multidisciplinary care are far more likely to regain confidence, restore independence, and return to work promptly. Photo: Courtesy

The healthcare system of Bangladesh has made substantial progress in recent years. However, one critical area remains shockingly neglected: rehabilitation. For vulnerable patients recovering from accidents, physical trauma, orthopaedic injuries, and strokes, physiotherapy is essential to restoring independence. It plays a vital role in maintaining quality of life, particularly for patients who require lifelong physiotherapy.

Nevertheless, in Bangladesh this sector remains severely underdeveloped. There is a lack of consistency in treatment standards, inadequate professional regulation, and limited access to trained professionals. As a result, patients are often exposed to negligence, prolonged suffering, and debilitating pain.

Consider the case of a patient undergoing rehabilitation following a spinal injury. In the absence of a meticulously planned rehabilitation programme and methodical physiotherapy, recovery is frequently delayed, incomplete, or even harmful. Although physiotherapy is formally recognised as a medical discipline, Bangladesh lacks a dedicated licensing authority. Oversight mechanisms, such as the National Rehabilitation Council under the Ministry of Social Welfare, remain largely non-functional. Civil and legal remedies addressing malpractice are inadequate, and professional accountability is weak. Relevant legislation includes the Civil Procedure Code 1908, the Penal Code 1860 (Sections 304A and 336), the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council Act 2010, and the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009. Despite these legal frameworks, regulatory enforcement in physiotherapy remains ineffective.

These failures are not merely legal or structural shortcomings; they directly affect the lives of real people on a daily basis. Vulnerable patients endure slow recovery, chronic pain, and loss of independence. The consequences extend to families, who bear both social and economic burdens, while public confidence in the healthcare system erodes due to the absence of standardised treatment and reliable outcomes. Access to effective rehabilitation is not only a health concern; it is fundamentally about restoring dignity, ensuring social inclusion, and expanding economic opportunities.

Access to effective rehabilitation is not only a health concern; it is fundamentally about restoring dignity, ensuring social inclusion, and expanding economic opportunities.

Patients who receive effective physiotherapy and multidisciplinary care are far more likely to regain confidence, restore independence, and return to work promptly, contributing productively to society. Conversely, delayed or ineffective rehabilitation restricts mobility, undermines employability, and increases social isolation.

Global experience offers valuable guidance for reform. In the United Kingdom, physiotherapists are licensed by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which enforces rigorous professional standards and safeguards patient welfare.

Bangladesh must also adopt a multidisciplinary approach that integrates physiotherapists, physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, and other specialists to ensure optimal rehabilitation outcomes. Comparable regulatory oversight and civil liability frameworks exist in the United States and Canada, where patient safety and professional standards are upheld through well-established mechanisms. Landmark cases such as Walker v Segura Jr (USA) and Athey v Leonati (Canada) demonstrate how strict compliance with clinical protocols and robust accountability significantly reduce malpractice risks.

Bangladesh should incorporate these international models by establishing a specialised Physiotherapy Council under the Ministry of Health. Such a body would oversee licensing, formulate clinical practice guidelines, and enforce professional accountability. Equally important is the promotion of coordinated, team-based care involving specialists from multiple disciplines, particularly for complex cases. Healthcare institutions must implement standardised, evidence-based treatment protocols to ensure consistency and quality of care. When coupled with a strong civil liability framework, these measures would protect patient rights and elevate professional standards.

Bangladesh already possesses an exemplary model in the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP). Founded in 1979 by Valerie Ann Taylor, CRP represents a pioneering institution offering structured, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, comprehensive medical services, and vocational training. This model should serve as a blueprint for future rehabilitation initiatives across the country.

Comprehensive reforms in the rehabilitation sector are essential to transforming the lives of vulnerable patients. Such reforms would reduce chronic disability, alleviate the economic and social burdens of long-term injury, and ensure that patients receive effective treatment delivered with dignity and respect.

Bangladesh now stands at a critical juncture. Immediate action is imperative. By adopting international best practices and strengthening regulatory frameworks, the country can build a rehabilitation system that is safe, effective, and trustworthy. It is time to end unnecessary suffering and enable individuals to lead fulfilling, pain-free lives.

The author is a Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, and a Legal Consultant and Researcher

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.