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Published : 18 Aug 2025, 12:00 AM
Law Advisor Asif Nazrul has explained his recent remarks on doctors following backlash from professional groups.
In a Facebook post around 8:45pm on Sunday, he claimed that certain media outlets “did not present his comments in full”, leading to misunderstanding.
On Saturday, Nazrul appeared as a guest at an event hosted by the Bangladesh Private Hospital, Clinic and Diagnostic Owners Association (BPHCDOA) in Dhaka.
At the programme, he urged doctors to stop the practice of prescribing what he described as “unnecessary” medical tests.
He also raised pointed questions, saying: “Are doctors acting as agents of pharmaceutical companies? Are specialists at major hospitals functioning as middlemen for drug firms? Where do you place yourselves?”
The remarks sparked protest among several doctor groups.
Pro-BNP organisation Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) issued a statement on Saturday, criticising his comments.
On Sunday, two Jamaat-aligned groups -- National Doctors Forum (NDF) and National Council of Physicians Organisation (NCPO) -- also released statements condemning his remarks.
Later on Sunday night, Nazrul wrote on Facebook that he had opened his speech by sharing his own positive experiences with doctors as a patient.
He said he only raised concerns based on accounts from others.
“There, I said the criticisms don’t apply to all doctors. I said many are honest, but there are allegations against others,” he wrote. “Some points I delivered as statements, others as questions.”
He claimed the media omitted this context, leading some to believe he made blanket accusations.
“When the newspapers reported it, they didn’t publish my full remarks. That’s why some may think I accused all doctors -- of not listening to patients, pushing excessive tests, or having links to drug companies. But that’s not true,” he said.
“I want to be clear: these concerns were directed at a certain group of doctors, not the entire profession. The way some media outlets published it, it may have seemed otherwise.”
Nazrul said many doctors in the country serve with dedication, honesty and skill -- and said they may have been hurt by how his remarks were perceived.
“I apologise to those doctor brothers and sisters who serve with honesty. I also urge them to consider whether these allegations, even if involving a small number, are true and to take necessary action if so,” he added.
