BAP Dialogue: Bangladesh Faces Major Psychiatric–Clinical Disconnect

Despite strong links between many physical illnesses and mental health conditions, most physicians in Bangladesh still lack the training to integrate both aspects in treatment — an issue many doctors openly acknowledged on Saturday.Speaking at a seminar titled “Interdisciplinary Dialogue to Promote Mental Health”, organised by the Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists (BAP) at a city hotel, doctors from various medical departments said the country faces a significant treatment gap because physical and mental health are rarely addressed together.They noted that a large portion of patients suffer from underlying mental health issues, but most physicians are unable to provide appropriate psychological support.Prof Dr Mohammad Safiuddin, Convenor of the Bangladesh Cardiac Society, said a growing number of young patients come with panic disorder-induced chest pain that has no cardiac link.“No matter how much we explain that it’s a psychological issue, these patients repeatedly return to cardiac specialists,” he said.“Cardiologists were never taught ...

• 15 Nov 2025