'Bangladesh has made tremendous progress in health sector'

Professor Dr. Pran Gopal Datta, former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) is a prominent figure in the arena of medical science in Bangladesh and beyond. He is a veteran physician, a patriotic scholar, an esteemed intellectual and a famed educationist. Professor Dr. Pran Gopal Datta firmly believes in the spirit of the glorious Liberation War of 1971 and he upholds the ideology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Pran Gopal Datta acquired PhD in medical science from Kiev, Ukraine. Moreover, he obtained M. Sc in Audiological Medicine and Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) degrees from the United Kingdom. He recently spoke to The Asian Age on different issues. The interview was taken by Mahfuz Ul Hasib Chowdhury.

The Asian Age (AA): Thank you sir for visiting The Asian Age. First we would like to request you to tell us something about the current status of the health sector of Bangladesh. Can Bangladesh initiate a particular healthcare policy?

Pran Gopal Datta (PGD): Bangladesh has made immense progress in health services during last 7 to 8 years both in private and public sectors. During last few years the bed numbers in the hospitals have tremendously increased.

Under the dedicated leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina community clinics have been established all over Bangladesh. In this way healthcare has reached the doorstep of rural people. Bangladesh has successfully achieved the objectives of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) due to the diligence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Child mortality rate has drastically decreased.

Nearly all people of the country are now able to get medical treatment from government hospitals. However, the costs of some private hospitals are beyond the capability of ordinary people. Private hospitals should keep their costs within the reach of general patients. There are healthcare policies in many countries.

Bangladesh can constitute a healthcare policy which makes health services easy to afford for common people. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a very people-friendly and patriotic leader. She loves the people of the county very much. So, I believe an effective healthcare policy can be implemented under the guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

AA: We know that you played important roles in the establishment of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Would you please share with us how BSMMU was founded?

PGD: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) was established in 1998 but it flourished during 2009-2015 in a faster way. BSMMU has now attained the status of a well developed medical university in the entire world. Its standard will further rise if the consultants become non-practicing. That means if the consultants and specialists of BSMMU pay more attention to their patients inside the hospital, the quality of treatment in BSMMU will be further expanded.

During 2001 to 2008 there was a great deal of mismanagement in the university and confusion also came up at that time about the existence of the institution. However, later on as the present government came to power BSMMU became the most reliable medical institution in the country.

AA: Radical outfits have caused much panic and catastrophes in Bangladesh. What do you think how we can eliminate this evil force?

PGD: Radical outfits have generated disasters all over the world, not just in Bangladesh. Religious extremism is a global phenomenon. Many countries have been assaulted by religious fanatics. It has happened because religious matters have been misinterpreted by certain quarters.

The present government has succeeded to terminate militancy and radical wings in Bangladesh. We will have to raise more awareness among the people of our country, particularly among the youths to obliterate radical forces.

AA: How would you evaluate women empowerment in Bangladesh?

PGD: Bangladesh has secured tremendous achievements in terms of women empowerment. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has done a lot of hard work to make Bangladeshi women self-sufficient. Women are now working with their heads high in many government and private organizations. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself is exhilarating women emancipation in every sector.

AA: Civil society members, economists and political analysts often refer to good governance as a prerequisite for democracy and development. What is your notion about it?

PGD: Good governance is a huge term. Good governance is essential for prosperity, for socio-economic advancement and for the prevalence of democracy too. Good governance is possible when all parts of the state mechanism function with integrity. Administrative units, citizens, political leaders, bureaucrats and everyone else have to do their respective work with honesty to constitute good governance.

AA: Bangladesh has been highly applauded by different international organizations including United Nations for its success in poverty eradication, elevating literacy rate and per capita income. Please let us know your approach to this point.

PGD: Yes, it is true that Bangladesh has achieved a massive magnitude of development during last several years through the devotion of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government. Many global platforms have awarded a number of prizes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her beneficial roles in reducing poverty, raising per capita income and instigating enormous economic progress.

Digital technologies have reached all corners of the country. Extensive electrification has liberated people from the darkness of load-shedding. Literacy rate has highly mounted among the people. Now it is very important to sustain these successful breakthroughs. Therefore, the continuation of these development programs is indispensable.

AA: Sometimes we see that the private medical colleges and clinics fail to provide proper services to the patients. What to do for upgrading the quality of private medical institutions?

PGD: Quality control is very important. The authorities concerned should carry out strong surveillance over the private medical colleges and clinics so that wrong treatment or unethical things do not happen.

AA: Thank you sir for sharing your valuable time with us.

PGD: You are welcome.