The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dr Nurul Islam

I had the unique opportunity of attending an International Conference at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India from 03-07 November 2007. I was invited as a special guest by Prof. Anis Ansari, Dean of the Faculty of the Unani Medicine at the University. My suggested topic was present and future of Unani Medicine in Bangladesh. This topic was suggested on the basis of my long association (15 yrs) with Hamdard Bangladesh as its Vice Chairman.

I got my lecture profiled in Dhaka and distributed that among the audience. This was to accommodate whole aspect of it in details within time limit of 20 minutes. Slide were projected following the deliberations before the audience. I emphasised that the CAM (Complimentary and Alternative Medicine) is now a recognised entity by the WHO and the system can ensure treatment of all diseases and provide enough manpower for the health care of the people as detailed in the WHO meeting at Alma matter.

I referred to about the TST (Three Systems Together) which I intend to introduce in the University namely University of Science & Technology Chittagong (USTC) founded by me immediately after the enactment of Bangladesh Private University Act-1992 where under the same roof the three systems shall work side by side and treatment will be made available for the patients so that they may have a choice of their own and we may reach a concession about the specialities of the systems viz. Allopath, Uanni and Ayurvidic system.

In Bangladesh Hamdard, we had Hakim Yousuf Haroon Bhuiyan and Hakim Shiri Farhad whose heart and soul work throughout the day and night for the development of the laboratory in Bangladesh. Their sincerity bore fruit and it is due to them what we are today.

In 1983 Prof Islam as Chairman of the Bangladesh National Drug Policy (BNDP) there three systems were recommended by them in the drug policy. In fact after the WHO this was the first recommendation by an expert committee which has far reaching affect on these three systems to the credit of the Islam Committee.

Hamdard India deserves credit for introducing the system in their post graduate education namely MDs and PhDs at Aligarh University. Aligarh University and Hamdard University of India can claim to be the first for introducing this in this sub-continent.

Participation of India is a challenge for Hamdard, India. This was said by late Hakim Mohammad Said of Pakistan. He continued to extend full support and cooperation to Hamdard Bangladesh. In fact he was such a large hearted man that he did not differentiate Hamdard Pakistan from Hamdard Bangladesh.

All facilities needed for Hamdard Bangladesh we are made available to Bangladesh Hamdard. These included technical know-how, patent rights and licence and even raw materials so that similar products could be produced by Bangladesh Hamdard. He agreed to become Chief Mutawalli of Bangladesh Hamdard at the request of the Board of Truste of Hamdard Bangladesh. He had a dream and he expressed openly on several occasions that Hamdard Bangladesh should attend the quality, standard and status of Hamdard Pakistan like Madinatual Hikma - A city of Science, Culture and Education.

In fact this was a unique contribution depicting his most liberal non-political and friendly attitude to Hamdard Bangladesh. Having received all these facilities Bangladesh Hamdard had at least one man fully devoted to utilise this unique opportunity and raised the organisation to the level- Hakim Mohammad Said desired.

Purchase of land and construction of Hamdard Laboratory at Meghna Ghat despite opposition by some members of the Board of Trustee has raised to the level that we could think of converting it into HUB (Hamdard University of Bangladesh). According to the Private University Act it fulfilled the criteria of establishing a university.

These are :

5 acres of land (already purchased)

A deposit of Taka 5 crore in a Bank

Arrangement for two Faculties.

I had the opportunity of being chairman of the committee constituted for the purpose. Several proposals were received by the committee for the development of a project.

The demand was high Taka two to three lakhs. I myself and Mr MA Jabbar, my PS had the experience of developing such a project for USTC now under solid footing with recognition from many international bodies like GMC, IMC, NMC, SMC and the WHO. We sat down seriously and prepared the PP within 4 weeks while others demanded as long as six months for the same. Our PP was approved by the Board of Trustee and ever the Minister for Education admitted that the proposal was acceptable and he would see that the proposal goes through. Unfortunately the Hamdard Administration was apprehensive of various imaginary draw backs and hesitated to resubmit the project. This I believe was the greatest mistake. Whatever be the situation now the facts remain that Hamdard Bangladesh has today a PP for HUB. It is only a matter of time. As the Vice Chairman of the organisation it is my sincere belief and hope that HUB (Hamdard University of Bangladesh) is not merely a dream but a reality. It will therefore independendly contribute for the development of Health Manpower. In the Unani System of Medicine, conducting research for the development of the system which is accorded a significant level in Pakistan and India, is commendable, having an associate like Hamdard Pakistan which is eagerful to help us in all difficulties. We may not lack behind go for what the establishment of Hamdard which can significantly contribute to the Health Manpower Development (HMD) for the nation.

I would suggest a sincere, neutral and scientific committee with representatives form each of the three to work together with a common goal for the relief and welfare of the people.

Working together I am sure we can win the battle.

(The writer is a National Professor, founder Vice Chancellor, USTC & founder President, ADHUNIK)