Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain yesterday said more than 92% of people suffering from mental health conditions in Bangladesh do not receive any form of treatment.

“Mental disorders are rapidly emerging as one of the leading causes of disability worldwide,” the minister said while replying to a question from ruling party MP Md Abul Kalam (Comilla-9) in Parliament.

He said the National Mental Health Survey 2018-19 found that around 16.8% of adults and 12.6% of children and adolescents in Bangladesh suffer from some form of mental health problem.

However, more than 92% of them do not receive any kind of treatment, the minister said citing the survey report.

The minister said mental healthcare facilities remain inadequate compared to the country's population. “Bangladesh currently has only 1.17 mental health professionals per 100,000 people, while the number of registered psychiatrists in the public sector stands at around 350.”

Responding to another question from reserved seat MP Sabikun Nahar, the minister said there are 41,806 approved physician posts in government hospitals across the country, of which 9,407 remain vacant.