National Prof Nurul Islam dies

National Professor Nurul Islam has died from old age complications at a hospital in the capital on Thursday night. He was 85.

He was the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Science and Technology Chittagong.

USTC Registrar Prof Shamsuddoha told bdnews24.com: “Professor Nurul Islam died at LabAid Hospital in Dhaka around 9pm Thursday.”

Islam, who was the personal physician of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is survived by a son and two daughters.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep sadness over his death. She also extended her condolences to the family.

Islam was admitted at the hospital following a heart attack.

The renowned physician was considered the pioneer of anti-tobacco movement in Bangladesh. He established the first national anti-tobacco organisation ADHUNIK – Amra Dhumpan Nibaron Kori, or we prevent smoking – with the dream of creating a tobacco-free society.

Born on Apr 1, 1928, in Chittagong, Nurul Islam achieved his Bachelor of Medicine degree in 1951 from Kolkata. Later, he received higher education from the University of Wales in the United Kingdom and the American College of Chest Physicians in the United States.

A specialist in medical science, Islam served as the Director and a Professor at the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research (IPGMR), better known as PG Hospital in Dhaka, which was later renamed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), from 1965 to 1987.

He was also involved with different organisations, having established many of them.

Islam has to his credit over 100 publications on health and drugs in international journals and over 100 articles on anti-tobacco movement published in national and international dailies and journals. He also wrote over 27 books.

As an educationist, medical scientist, social worker, researcher and anti-tobacco leader, Islam received a plethora of awards for his contribution in medical science. He also received the highest national award – The Independence Day Award in 1997.