Sound environment and friendly relation ensure quality treatment

Prof Dr Kamrul Hassan Khan

Recently Prof Dr Kamrul Hassan Khan, Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), talked to Shahnoor Wahid and Sohel Rana of The Daily Star about a number of issues concerning BSMMU.

While talking about the present status of medical treatment in the country he emphasised the importance of sound environment and friendly relation among patients, doctors and staff members to ensure quality treatment.

Replying to a question on his objective and dream as a new VC, he replied, "I would like to talk about my background and relation with BSMMU. You know, we fought for the country with dreams some of which are yet to be fulfilled. I joined BSMMU in 1991 when it was known as IPGMR (Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research). I was selected as IPGMR secretary in 1997 and got a chance to propose for a Medical University. I made the Draft Act for BSMMU in 1998. The most interesting fact is that we applied on July 24, 1997 and the announcement was made through media on July 31, 1997, within only 7 days. On April 30, 1998 the University Act was finally passed in the parliament.

In October 2001, the then government attempted to turn it into IPGMR again. But we sternly protested against this decision and stuck to our movement. So I had a close involvement with these two historical events."

Regarding his dream he said, "You might know I have been associated with Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) for 32 years in various capacities. So BMA has a long time professional demand for making it an autonomous body. Autonomy of all medical institutes/colleges is very important for their development. Later on we proposed that all medical colleges both government and non-government and some post graduate institutes should be under an umbrella of a single university. Unfortunately, this demand was not accepted due to some bureaucratic complicacies but finally we got BSMMU. I must say we have autonomy in some sectors."

While talking about initiatives taken by him to improve the hospital environment, to strengthen the chain of command and create friendly relationship among patients, doctors and the staffs, he said, "There were some objectives for making a university such as: taking quick decisions and implementing it promptly along with three fundamental tasks taken as mandatory: post-graduate medical education, services to the patients and undertaking research all these are inseparable.

I observe how common people react to the functioning of the medical university and what kind of complaints they raise against university's authority, doctors and staffs. And from the first day of my assignment here I have been doing my homework regarding these issues. You know, being the BSMMU VC makes a great platform for me to work for the impoverished people as well as to render them better treatment. And I am committed to working to change the negative impression about physicians".