Dr Zafrullah Chy to remain forever in people's hearts

Late physician Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury will remain forever in the hearts of the country's people for his lifelong endeavour to establish their rights to health and for being a down-to-earth person, a senior doctor said in a public lecture.
His struggle, initiatives and unique activities to establish equality in the light of his wisdom and vision are still relevant for the country's people, said Prof Md Sayedur Rahman, chairman of the Department of Pharmacology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
"A plethora of adjectives to describe Dr Zafrullah's affiliations and contributions are not enough to understand him," said Mr Rahman.
Dr Zafrullah's philosophy and mindset towards health will be a matter of discussion among the physicians, researchers and right activists across the globe, he said.
Mr Rahman was delivering a public lecture titled Dr Zafrullah, National Drug Policy 1982 and Bangladesh's Health Movement held at the Drik Path building in the city's Shukrabad area on Monday evening.
Drik, an independent media platform, organised the 'Golam Kasem Daddy' lecture marking its 34th anniversary.
Prof Sayedur Rahman, who closely worked with late Dr Zafrullah and was encouraged to opt for pharmacology, highlighted various life events of the founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK).
Mr Rahman spoke about Dr Zafrullah's role during the great Liberation War in 1971, his contribution to establishment of a field hospital, later founding the Gonoshasthaya Kendra, and his thoughts regarding women empowerment and his simple living.
"Zafar bhai organised the non-resident Bangladeshis abroad and came back to Agartala after the war began to establish a field hospital," he said.
Later he took different initiatives for the development of the country's healthcare sector, especially targeting the marginal ones.
"His pure feelings for the poor kept him alive for the last five decades," said Mr Rahman.
Regarding Dr Zafarullah's role in the 'National Drug Policy 1982', he said the health policy of 1982 was a tool to bolster the battle against the then profit-making health system.
"The drug policy proposed by Dr Zafrullah will be a landmark document for establishing a welfare state," said Mr Rahman adding only 14 countries had been able to prepare the drug policy by 1984.
The policy not only helped the country's people get drugs at affordable prices but also paved the way for local industries' flourishing here.
However, responding to a query from the audience, the lecturer said Dr Zafrullah was not well respected by the drug makers.
Dr Zafrullah laid special emphasis on simplification of medical science for the local stakeholders as well as conducting research and development.
Developing a local Covid test kit by his team was one of the exemplary achievements, he said.
Managing Director of Drik Shahidul Alam, also an eminent photojournalist, delivered the welcome speech.
Dignitaries including rights activist Khushi Kabir, economist Professor Anu Muhammad, representatives of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, representatives of the civil society were present at thepublic lecture.

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