BSMMU VC pitches for 'look east' for medical science

The Vice-Chancellor of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University has asked doctors to look east for medical technologies and training, instead of Europe and America.

“This is the best time for technology transfer from east to east,” VC Pran Gopal Datta said on Saturday.

Prof Datta was inaugurating a scientific seminar on organ transplants, where experts from Asian countries including South Korea and India were participating.

He said Asian countries like India, Singapore, Japan, Korea have advanced a lot in medical science both technologically and in skills.

“We have best hospitals in the region, even in this sub-continent. The number of patients we see every day is a dream for the European countries.

“I can diagnose many diseases of patients only by the smell and the gesture the patient makes when (he/she) comes into my chamber,” the leading ENT specialist said.

He particularly emphasised that it was easy to work and transfer technologies from Asian countries.

“I know how it's difficult to bring technology from the EU from my own hospital experience,” the vice-chancellor said.

“I think we should not look west,” he said.

He said even the donations Asian counties made were almost interest free, citing an ongoing project with South Korea.

The medical university is building a seven storied hospital with about Tk 10 billion assistance from Korea.

The VC said it carries 0.01 percent interest rate with 40 years repayment period.

“If I borrow it from World Bank or other western donors, the interest rate would be as high as 4 percent or 5 percent.

“Then why should we run after western world,” he asked.

Prof Datta is going to retire from his post in Mar next year after completing two successive tenures as VC.

But his university job would continue until 2019 as according to rules a university professor retires after 65 years.

He, however, said he would not go back to the department. “If I go back, I’ll deprive another professor, who may be my student, from getting the post,” he said.

He asked doctors to be “dedicated, devoted and maintain ethics” in their regular practice.