Render more services to patients, PM asks docs

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Wednesday called upon the doctors to render more services to the patients by treating them as family members, reports BSS. "Medicare is not only a profession, it is a noble task . . . you have to develop a mentality to serve the people and consider all patients as members of your own family," she told the 11th Convocation of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). Health and Family Welfare Minister Prof Dr AFM Ruhal Haque and PM's Adviser Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali spoke at the occasion as special guests. BCPS President Prof Mahmud Hasan delivered the convocation address, while former BCPS president Prof Nazmun Nahar and BCPS Vice-President Prof Abdul Kader Khan gave the address of welcome and vote of thanks respectively. The PM said doctors become specialists by sincerity and merit. "But this is not the end, all specialist doctors would have to dedicate themselves to serving the patients and distressed humanity," she said. "Half of the disease is cured by treatment and medicines, while the remaining half through service," she said, urging the doctors to behave well with the patients. Regarding higher education for doctors, she said that the government is doing everything possible for ensuring higher education for the physicians to provide better healthcare facilities in the country. "We hope that you will acquire knowledge and serve the patients accordingly," she said. She said her government has given more importance to research in medical science. "To this end, we want to turn Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) into a centre of excellence," she said. The PM also listed various steps her government has undertaken for the development of health sector. "Health and family welfare centres have been constructed in 136 unions across the country, while the construction of 200 more such centres is going on," she said. After assuming office this time, she said, her government has appointed more than 5,000 doctors on an ad hoc basis and resumed the operation of all community clinics to ensure health services for all.