DHAKA, Oct 27, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today greeted all

concerned including researchers, students, teachers, doctors, nurses and
officials of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on the
occasion of the University Research Day-2023 to be observed tomorrow.
 
The premier issued a message on the eve of the day to be observed tomorrow
under the arrangement of BSMMU for the 5th time.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: "I am happy to know that
BSMMU is going to celebrate 'Research Day' for the 5th time. On the occasion
of this day, I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to all the
teachers, doctors, nurses and officials of the university."

The greatest Bangalee of all time as well as the Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave special importance to health care and
medical research considering the sound health of the people of the country
alongside rebuilding the basic infrastructure of the newly independent war-
torn Bangladesh, she added.

Following the footsteps of the father of the nation, the Awami League (AL)-
led government established Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for
the first time in Bangladesh in 1998 and its main objective was to create the
foundation for medical research necessary to ensure good health of the people
of Bangladesh, she mentioned.

After taking charge of the Awami League (AL)-led government, BSMMU has been
taking and implementing various programmes by giving priority to research and
education activities alongside providing daily medical services, she said.

"We were the first to allocate Taka 12 crore for research in the fiscal year
1997-98, which was later increased to Taka 100 cr. Moreover, in the current
financial year, Taka 100 crore has been allocated for the research and
innovation of the youth," the premier said.

The AL-led government has formulated a pro-people health system (Gono-Mukhi
Sastho Bebostha) for all the people of the country, said Sheikh Hasina,
adding that the number of hospital beds, establishment of general and
specialized hospitals and specialized medical services have been increased
manifold.

Health care has been expanded through community clinics up to the grass root
level, she said, adding that the medical education system has been greatly
expanded by establishing new medical colleges.

She said at the same time, the importance of medical research has increased.

Besides, each department has taken the initiative to establish a medical
university, she said, adding that among them, medical universities have been
established in Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University has established as a super
specialized hospital to ensure world class medical care to the people, she
added.

The purpose of establishing this hospital is ensuring latest medical services
at a low cost so that the patients will not have to go abroad for treatment,
she continued.

Thus, the healthcare sector can save a lot of foreign currencies, she said.

Noting that BSMMU has been playing a leading role in providing medical
services to the people of Bangladesh, the premier hoped BSMMU will lead in
medical research in coming days.

BSMMU has already appointed Emeritus Professors to boost research, she said,
adding that it has allocated Taka 32.5 crore for the research sector in the
budget of 2023-24 fiscal year.

The Syndicate meeting approved the 'Vice Chancellor's Award for Research' to
encourage University faculty, resident doctors in research, she said.

Last year, 24 researchers, teachers and doctors enrolled in PhD courses on
topics of greater public importance, she mentioned.

This year 30 researchers, teachers and doctors have enrolled in the PhD
course, she added.

Moreover, the Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust is providing
allocations for research to university teachers and doctors, she said.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University has signed MoUs with AIIMS, Brown
and Chicago and Oxford Universities to conduct international standard
research and exchange knowledge and experience, she said.

Besides, the results of various health-related studies have been published
regularly, she added.

The premier believed that the celebration of 'Research Day 2023' by BSMMU is
a very timely step.

As a result, the researchers, doctors and all those working in the university
will always strive to improve the medical system to international standards
by using their labor, talent and innovative energy, she hoped.

"We will be able to build a healthy, strong and efficient nation in coping up
with the progress of integrated development in the country, Insha Allah," she
said.

The premier wished for the success of all programmes marking the University
Research Day-2023.