The New Nation - Internet Edition

Minister pledges making community clinics effective

UNB, Dhaka

Health Minister Dr. AFM Ruhul Haq yesterday said country's health sector would be modernized through making 'community clinics' effective and commoners' access to health service would be ensured at any cost.

"The government gives 'health management system' top priority so that poor get the medicare without any hassle," the Health Minister said while talking to journalists during his visit to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in the evening.

He said the government is sincere about providing health care to the poor. They will no more be deprived of getting necessary service.

Replying to a question the minister said, "mismanagement might be seen in particular cases, but we will dig out how the mismanagement takes place and who are responsible for that."

"We must overcome mismanagement at any cost, no matter how difficult it is," Dr. Ruhul Haq said adding that when demand is high and supply is slow, mismanagement appears at that time.

Describing the scenario of DMCH he said that approximately 500 hundred patients routinely visit the hospital and their healthcare must be ensured.

"You know people consider DMCH as heart of public healthcare services. They come here to get quality treatment, so their desires should be fulfilled," the minister told the physicians.

He visited different wards of DMCH, talked to patients and physicians.

Health Secretary AMM Nasiruddin, Additional Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, DMCH Director Abdus Shahid Khan were present during the visit.

SPGRC greets Sheikh Hasina

BSS, Dhaka

Stranded Pakistanis General Repatriation Committee (SPGRC) on Sunday greeted Sheikh Hasina on her assumption of the office of Prime Minister and Awami League's landslide victory in the December 29 Jatiya Sangsad polls.

The committee expressed the hope that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would take initiative to solve the long-standing problem of stranded Pakistanis living at different camps in 13 districts of Bangladesh, a press release of SPGRC said.

It prayed to Almighty Allah to enable Awami League to complete its five-year tenure peacefully and serve the nation successfully.

Reunion of open-heart surgery patients held

BSS, Dhaka

A reunion of the persons, who had open-heart surgery at Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute (ICHRI) in 2008, was held in the conference hall of Incepta Pharmaceutical Ltd here on Friday.

Titled as 'Kemon Achhen', the reunion was organized by Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute in association with Incepta Pharmaceutical Ltd, an ICHRI press release said on Saturday.

Renowned lawyer Barrister Rafiq-Ul-Haque attended the function as the chief guest while Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh Diabetic Samity Dr Sarwar Ali was the special guest on the occasion.

Managing Director of Incepta Pharmaceutical Ltd Abdul Muktadir presided over the function. President of Bangladesh Diabetic Samity AK Azad Khan gave the welcome of address.

A total of 300 open-heart surgery patients with an attendant each were present at the function, where they informed the specialist sergeants about their present state of health.

The function was followed by a scientific seminar on cardiac surgery, the press release said.

Bangladesh HC presents credential to Sultan of Brunei

BSS, Dhaka

The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam on Saturday accepted the letter of credence from Bangladesh High Commissioner to Brunei M Shameem Ahsan in a presentation ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman, according to a message received here.

The Sultan received the High Commissioner in audience after the presentation.

During the audience, the High Commissioner conveyed to the Sultan the greetings of the President and the Prime Minister.

He also apprised the Sultan of installation of the new government in Bangladesh.

Reciprocating, the Sultan urged the High Commissioner to convey his greetings and good wishes to the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

They also discussed matters of mutual interests, the message said.

Earlier in the morning Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, minister for foreign affairs and trade of Brunei Darussalam, received the Bangladesh High Commissioner in audience.

NFTE to extend coop for removing anomalies in edn sector

BSS, Dhaka

Leaders of National Front of Teachers and Employees (NFTE) on Saturday said, they would extend all out cooperation to the Mohajote government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for removing anomalies in the education sector created by previous four- party alliance government.

In a statement, NFTE's chief coordinator Principal Kazi Faruque Ahmed said, a large number of teachers and employees were victims of indescribable political suppression and deprivation all over the country.

A meeting of the NFTE will be held at 5th floor of Moni Singh- Farhad Trust Bhaban in the city at 11 am today expected to be attended by the district level representatives to evaluate post poll scenario of the country and chalkout the course of work to redress political victimization, the statement said.

''People create opportunity to build 'Sonar Bangla'

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a discussion said the people of Bangladesh have created the opportunity to build Bangladesh a terrorism and militancy free 'Sonar Bangla', as dreamt by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through ballot revolution.

The speakers expressed their firm belief that the newly installed government under the bold leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will build a terrorism free economically strong Bangladesh by reviving the constitution of 1972.

The discussion was organised by the Muktijoddah Prajanma Command (MPC) office here on Saturday on the occasion of the home coming day of Bangabandhu, a press release said.

Leaders and workers of MPC also placed wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation at Dhanmondi in the morning.

The discussion was chaired by central committee president of MPC AKM Fazlul Haque Panju.

"Each and every worker and supporter of MPC believe that Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla can be built through revival of the 1972 constitution which was achieved at the cost of bloods of 30 lakh Shaheeds," they said.

MPC vice-presidents Advocate Mahfuzur Rahman Chowdhury and Advocate Ujjal Prasad Kanu, general secretary Abul Kalam Azad Bhuiyan, among others, spoke on the occasion, the press release added.

PM condoles death of Gopal Paul

BSS, Dhaka

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock at the death of Gopal Chandra Paul, father of Goutam Paul, assistant secretary of central sub-committee of the party.

In a condolence message, she prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.

Gopal Chandra Paul died on Wednesday at the age of 80, an AL press release said here on Saturday.

Call to execute verdict of Bangabandhu murder case

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a discussion meeting on Saturday demanded immediate execution of the verdict of the Bangabandhu murder case.

They also urged the offspring of the freedom fighters to continue their movements till the execution of the verdict.

'Amra Muktijudhdhar Santan' organised the discussion titled "Bangabandhu's homecoming day: responsibility of the offspring of the freedom fighters" at its office in the city.

Chairman of Bangladesh Muktijudhdha Sangsad central command council Principal Abdul Ahad Chowdhury was the chief guest in the discussion with Humayun Kabir in the chair.

Principal Ahad Chowdhury said the killing of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is a black chapter of the country in the international arena.

Execution of the verdict is indispensable to erase this black chapter, he added.

The speakers said Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the Bengali nation had never bowed down to unjust, rather he faced all sorts of suppression including imprisonment for long 24 years.

Bangabandhu is the great architect of the independence of Bangladesh, they said noting that the nation began the struggle for independence in 1948 under his leadership and finally achieved the victory in 1971 through a war of liberation.

Syed Ashraful Islam Nayan, Emdadul Haque, Jobaida Haque Ajanta, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, the leaders of Amra Muktijudhdhar Santan also placed floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi in the morning.

Past glory of port city to be revived

BSS, Chittagong

Ministers, Lawmakers and Leaders of the Mohajote in greater Chittagong region at a public meeting here yesterday said they would work together for bringing back the past glory of the port city as the country's economic and industrial hub.

In this respect, they sought wholehearted cooperation of the people to free Bangladesh from the curses of corruption and terrorism in line with the election pledges of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Chittagong city unit of Awami League organized the meeting at Laldighi Maidan marking Bangabandhu's Homecoming Day. City Al president and Mayor Alhaj A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury was in the chair.

Shipping Minister Dr. Afsarul Amin, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, State Minister for CHT Affairs Dipankar Talukder and lawmakers including Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Akhteruzzaman Chowdhury Babu, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, A B M Abul Kashem Master, Shamsul Haq Chowdhury, M A Latif and Abdur Rahman Badi addressed the meeting.

Former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University Dr. Abu Yousuf Alam, former president of Chittagong District Bar Association Advocate Monatosh Barua, Advocate Iftekhar Saimul Chowdhury and city AL general secretary Enamul Haq Danu also addressed the meeting.

Shipping Minister Dr. Afsarul Amin said the nation was happy today as they were on this day in 1972 when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned home from the jail of Pakistan.

"The people are really happy this time as they have given a landslide victory to Awami League to form the government under the leadership of the daughter of Father of the Nation," he said.

He urged the people to remain alert against the conspirators and their evil designs and assured that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would be able to build Bangladesh as a prosperous country with the active cooperation of all in the society.

"Let us work together so that there remains no room for the corrupts, terrorists, extortionists and their mentors in this holy land of Baro Aulia" Dr. Afsarul Amin said.

Industry Minister Dilip Barua said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the undisputed leader of the nation as the country's Independence was achieved through his historic declaration at Racecourse Ground on March 7,1971.

"Bangabandhu will remain in the hearts of all as the symbol of our Independence, Democracy and Economic Emancipation," he said.

Barua said that implementation of Sheikh Hasina's election manifesto has already started by taking decisions to allocate increased subsidy for fertilizer and reduce the price of diesel.

"The future industry policy will protect the interest of both owners and workers of mills and factories by promoting the private sector and also saving the profitable public sector enterprises," he said.

The Industries Minister said the main objective of the present government is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in a larger volume and promote the local industries to achieve the Vision-2021 as illustrated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Acting President of Jatiya Party (Ershad) Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud MP called the propaganda of a certain quarter 'funny' as he said the nation would never believe that Awami League, which brought freedom for the nation, would put the hard- earned Sovereignty and Independence at a stake.

"Awami League and Mohajote are the only nationalist forces in the country as they love the nation with all their sincerity to protect the Independence and fulfill the core objectives of the War of Liberation by freeing the nation from the stigma of corruption and militancy," he said.

Mayor Alhaj A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury said present government of Sheikh Hasina would undertake mega-planning for the development of Chittagong. "This government is pledged bound to improve the lot of distressed people," he said.