The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Prof Dr Md Nazrul Islam yesterday took charge amid demonstrations by a section of doctors, nurses and employees of the institution against his appointment.

The demonstrators said to be supporters of a BNP demanded the resignation of the Health Adviser alleging that the Government had appointed officials backed by a certain political party to the posts of Vice-chancellor, Pro- Vice-chancellor and Treasurer of the BSMMU.

They also said they would soon submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser's office requesting the Government to remove the new recruits for the highest seats of the county's lone medical university.

The authorities also appointed Prof Md. Kamal Uddin of the pathology department as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Prof Md Ruhul Amin Miah, chairman of microbiology department as Treasurer of the BSMMU.

Earlier, on Tuesday the Government removed vice-chancellor Prof Mohammed Tahir, pro-VC Prof M A Majid and treasurer Prof Mobin Khan on allegations of forgery of medical certificate for detained former BNP lawmaker Mosaddek Ali Falu.

The BSMMU doctors and staff, under the banner 'integrated doctors-nurse-staff council, observed sit-in demonstrations in front of the VC's office from 11.00 am. They also held a protest meeting at the BSMMU auditorium earlier.

Addressing the meeting Prof Saiful Islam Selim, president of the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh, a BNP-backed organisation, alleged that the government had appointed partisans and removed the incumbent officials on a minor pretext.

He said the way these people were removed is offending to the doctors' community and it has also tainted the neutral image of the government.

Abdul Kuddus, associate professor of BSMMU eye department, said the newly appointed people were adherents of Awami League.

The newly appointed VC of BSMMU, Prof Md Nazrul Islam yesterday said he would do his best to run the hospital well.

"We will try to offer better medical services," he said, as he took over office yesterday.

Meanwhile, Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Dr Mostaque Rahim Swapan in a statement yesterday condemned the appointment of a physician whom he called an associate of a particular political party as the VC of the BSMMU after removal of "non-party VC, Pro-VC and Treasurer of the BSMMU."

He also demanded resignation of the health adviser and officials in the ministry of health affiliated the political party.

Dr Iqbal Arsalan, secretary general of Swadhinata Chikitshok Parishad backed by Awami League, told reporters that that the newly appointed officials were not members of SCP as alleged.

The BSMMU Teachers Association welcomed the fresh appointments.