Left-leaning doctors to contest in Bangladesh Medical Association elections

Left-leaning physicians group, the Doctors for Health and Environment, has announced its panel to contest in the upcoming Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) elections amid opposition BNP doctors’ boycott.

At a press conference on Thursday, Dr SM Fazlur Rahman and Dr Shakil Akhter have been named as President and General Secretary candidate respectively to lead the panel in the Dec 22 elections.

Dr Shamsuddin Ahmed to run for vice-president Dhaka city while Dr Nityananda Shil will contest for vice-president Barisal division, Dr Tarun Tapan Barua for vice-president Chittagong division, and Dr SM Fariduzzaman for vice-president Khulna division.

Dr Afsana Karim will contest for treasurer post while Dr Kazi Rakibul Islam for joint general secretary, Dr Md Delwar Hossain for organising secretary, Dr Khurshid Hossain Touhid for office secretary, and Dr Rita Rani Saha for social welfare secretary post.

The ruling Awami League doctors Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad, Swachip, earlier announced their panel for the elections of this national doctors’ body.

Opposition BNP-backed Doctors' Association of Bangladesh and Jamaat-e-Islami-backed National Doctors' Forum earlier decided to boycott the election bringing the allegation of bias against the Election Commission.

The election was last held in 2O12.