An acute shortage of teachers has been hampering academic activities at the public medical and dental colleges in the country as over 46 per cent teaching positions are vacant at these institutions, Health Minister Zahid Maleque informed the parliament today.

Out of a total 3,829 sanctioned posts for professor, associate professor, assistant professor and lecturer for government medical colleges across the country, 2,057 teachers are working at these institutions, the minister said while answering a query of Jatiya Party lawmaker Mujibul Haque.

“Most of the vacant posts are of the basic subjects,” he said.

“Government is working to appoint teachers for the rest 1,772 positions. It [recruitment] will be completed soon. Government has taken special measure for it,” Zahid Maleque said.

Replying to another query made by Awami League lawmaker Abul Kalam Md Ahasanul Hoque Chowdhury, the health minister said that there are 36 government-run medical colleges in the country with enrollment capacity of 4,068 students.

There are also 70 privately run medical colleges and six others under the supervision of Bangladesh army with a capacity of enrollment of 6,231 and 375 students respectively, he also said.

Government-run medical colleges have been set up at important districts, Zahid Maleque said.

“We will set up government-run medical colleges based on geographical location, population and other aspects after conducting survey in the future,” he added.