Quit job if fail to work in villages
Prime minister asks doctors
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurates Annual General Meeting 2011 and 19th Convention of Bangladesh Medical Association at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city yesterday. Photo: PID
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday came down heavily on doctors and asked them to quit jobs if they do not attend their duties in villages. “If you want to be in service you must perform your duty. It cannot be acceptable that you will draw your salary but won't do your duty months after months,” she said. The prime minister said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 19th Bangladesh Medical Convention and Special AGM of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city. The premier also censured the mindset of the doctors for not paying their income tax. “This is really disappointing,” she said. Hasina said if the tax is paid, it goes to the government exchequer and the money is used for the welfare of all. She said not only doctors all will have to shun the mentality of tax evasion. Hasina requested eligible citizens to pay their income taxes for larger interest of the nation. Without mentioning any name, she said not only commoners, internationally renowned citizens of the country also do not hesitate to dodge taxes. “We have also seen how internationally renowned persons also misuse the donations they got from abroad and evade taxes,” she said. Hasina said none should dodge taxes as ultimately nations suffers from such practice. The PM cited example of Begum Fazilatunnesa Hospital Project for which Bangabandhu Memorial Trust has paid taxes worth tk 1.89 crore. “If we wish, we would have tax exemption. But, we didn't,” she said. Hasina said when she talks to lawmakers or local people; it is a common allegation that doctors are very indifferent to their duties in remote hospitals. “Major part of your academic expenses is met by people's taxes. Your aim in life should be serving the poor rural people,” she said. The premier was also critical of the physicians for their “attitude” towards certain remarks made by BMA Secretary General Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed at the function. Dr Sharfuddin requested young doctors to render free service at least for one day a week in their respective villages, but the doctors present at the function did not appreciate it. “Your silence has shocked me….I did not expect such behaviour from you,” Hasina said. The PM requested the doctors to give their best efforts to ensure quality health services for the common people. The PM assured that scarcity of teachers at government medical colleges would shortly be met. The premier requested senior physicians to conduct both fundamental and practical research on medical science. Prime minister at the function also distributed BMA Award, 2011 among Prof Mazhar Ali Kadri (posthumous), Prof Syeda Firoza Begum (Posthumous), Dr Mujibur Rahman (Posthumous), National Prof Dr Nurul Islam, Prof Dr MD Sohrab Ali, Prof Dr Rashid-e-Habib, Prof Kazi Shahidul Alam and Prof Dr Pran Gopal Datta. Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haq, State Minister for Health Captain (Rtd) Majibur Rahman Fakir, PM's Adviser Syed Mudasser Ali and BMA President Dr Mahmdud Hasan addressed the function.
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