The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Terming Prof Dr Mohammad Ibrahim as a symbolic representative of all humanitarian services in Bangladesh, Health Adviser Major General (Retd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman yesterday said there should be more hospitals like BIRDEM to provide treatment facilities to increasing numbers of diabetic patients of the country .

Recalling his memories with Prof Dr Ibrahim , the founder of BIRDEM hospital, health adviser said, quoting from the holy Quran , "The great man in certainly now living in the highest heaven since he served the distressed humanities innovating treatments especially for the diabetic patients.''

He was speaking as the chief guest at a memorial meeting to observe the 18th death anniversary of Prof Dr Ibrahim at BIRDEM auditorium yesterday.

Presided over by Prof AK Azad Khan, President, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Major General (Retd) Prof AR Khan , Major General Ziauddin Ahmed, Director General, BIRDEM and Md Saif Uddin, Secretary General , Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, among others, addressed the memorial meeting.

Though he passed away many years ago, all of his great contributions show his existence before us, Matin emotionally stated saying Prof Dr Ibrahim was his first teacher.

The whole world is still remembering him for the innovation in medical science which I personally understood during my recent visit to France where the French president was also present

He said, all the delegations were looking for the Bangladeshi representative at the last World Health Congress to learn about diabetic treatment from us .

To establish the BIRDEM , the great institution , he sought help from the state leaders including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib but he did never go to them for the course of his own interests . This is the main characteristic of the great man, he added. We think for the poor but Prof Dr Ibrahim thought for the ultra poor, the adviser said.

Terming Prof Dr Ibrahim as a respected and eminent teacher Matiur Rahman said, we should work for the expansion of Prof Dr Ibrahim's institution.

Meanwhile different social organisations chalked out various programmes across the country to mark the 18th death anniversary of Prof Dr Ibrahim.

BIRDEM hospital observed the day as their Service Day while Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute organised a free heart camp.

Officials and staffs of BIRDEM placed wreaths at his grave and prayed for the eternal peace of his soul going to the graveyard at Banani in the city. Rich foods were also distributed among the poor patients in the hospital. BIRDEM , NHN and HCDP arranged free diabetic tests in the city.