Anger sparked among medical professionals

 
The Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research (IPGMR) which was better known as PG Hospital was upgraded to a full-fledged medical university with effect from 1998. It was renamed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) commemorating Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina played a pivotal role in the establishment of BSMMU which has been making profuse contribution in the healthcare services being provided to the people of Bangladesh.

BSMMU is the most important medical institution in Bangladesh. Since the inception of BSMMU, dynamic, competent and patriotic medical educationists and devoted physicians have held the Vice Chancellor post of the university. The present Vice Chancellor of BSMMU Professor Dr. Sharfuddin Ahmed is also a highly proactive administrator and eminent medical researcher.

However, it is going around that Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq who is a controversial figure is set to be appointed in the Vice Chancellor post of BSMMU. It has created anger and displeasure among the officials and physicians of BSMMU. Reliable sources have informed that Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq was never closely associated with medical research. He has all along been a health bureaucrat with almost no academic experience. Even reportedly his name was not proposed for the VC post to the government from the authorities concerned. For this reason senior health officials have expressed astonishment over this development.

Sources associated with the health sector have stated that appointing Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq would be a misguided and mistaken decision. It may jeopardize the entire health arena. Reports have surfaced that a vested group of unscrupulous bureaucrats want Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq to be placed in the VC position of BSMMU.

Allegedly Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq was involved in a huge magnitude of corruption while he was Director General of Health Services. Moreover, Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq does not have any special attachment with the spirit of the Liberation War of 1971. Neither does he have inclination towards the ideology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman reportedly.

Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq owns an eye hospital named

"Deen Mohammad Eye Hospital"

in Dhaka while questions and suspicions have emerged over the source of fund behind the establishment of this hospital.

President of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Dr. Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin told The Asian Age, "Health experts who believe in the ideology of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and uphold the spirit of 1971 should be appointed in vital posts like VC of BSMMU. I have no idea in what process Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq's name came up for the VC post of BSMMU. It depends on the ministry concerned. Nobody sought our suggestions over this issue. Dr. Deen Mohammad Noorul Huq was not associated with BSMMU during his professional career."

Dr. Iqbal Arsalan, former General Secretary of Shadhinata Chikitsok Parishad told The Asian Age, "Someone from inside BSMMU should be appointed in the VC post. That person should be a reputed health expert with clean image and vast academic experience and professional excellence."

Former Vice Chancellor of BSMMU Professor Dr. Kamrul Hasan Khan said, "BSMMU is a huge institution. People from all over the country visit BSMMU for better medical services. For this reason the authorities concerned should appoint such a person who has the required knowledge and competence to run BSMMU aptly. It would be better if someone like this from inside BSMMU is appointed for the university's top post."

Medical professionals who gave their opinions to The Asian Age have requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to reconsider her decision about the appointment of VC in BSMMU.