Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College (SZMC) Day turned into a grand reunion for physicians who completed their education at SZMC on Thursday. Speaking at the event, newly appointed Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, MP, announced that an initiative has been taken to establish an ICU in Bogura, as part of a broader government plan to set up around 20 ICUs nationwide. He also stated that a process is underway to recruit 5,000 doctors to address the shortage of physicians.
The Health Minister made these remarks while responding to journalists after cutting the anniversary cake on Thursday morning (November 5) at the SZMC Day-2026 event, organized to mark the founding anniversary of the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Alumni Association in Bogura.
The Minister said he is aware of the various challenges facing Bogura's healthcare sector and has asked for these issues to be submitted in writing so they can be resolved step-by-step. Yesterday, 500 doctors were received through the division, out of which 17 have been posted to various upazilas and institutions in Bogura. Additionally, a circular for the recruitment of 5,000 doctors has been published, with the application deadline having ended on the 25th. Currently, interview procedures are ongoing at the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC). He expressed hope that once this recruitment process is completed, the shortage of doctors in the country will be significantly reduced.
Regarding hospital waste management, the Health Minister stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is placing special emphasis on the matter. Work is underway to establish waste management systems in major hospitals across the country, with activities already ongoing in 15 locations. Bogura is among the places where this system is not yet in place, and there are plans to introduce waste management activities there in phases. Regarding the expansion of healthcare services through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, he mentioned that discussions have been finalized with five tertiary-level hospitals in Dhaka. However, another meeting regarding monitoring charges will be held next week. Once that is completed, the activities will commence. Initially, this initiative will be launched experimentally in five hospitals in Dhaka and later expanded to other cities. Highlighting the current state of the health sector, the Minister said that due to looting and mismanagement during the previous government's tenure, the country's health sector was heavily damaged. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government is trying to rescue the health sector from that condition and restore it to an effective state.
Earlier in the morning, the SZMC Day-2026 program began with the hoisting of the national flag and a joyful rally. The anniversary cake was cut at 9:00 AM, followed by the inauguration of Day-Care Surgery by the Health Minister at 9:30 AM. Presided over by Dr. A.N.M. Monowarul Kadir Bitu, Convener of the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Alumni Association and Assistant Personal Physician to the Prime Minister, the event featured College Principal Prof. Dr. Md. Wadudul Haque Torofdar as the Chief Patron.
The subsequent programs of the event included a discussion meeting, unveiling of the souvenir, reading of the congratulatory message sent by the Prime Minister, a Q&A session between students and the Health Minister, honoring successful former alumni, inauguration of medical cards, and prize distribution for the Medicine Club Olympiad. Furthermore, sports were scheduled for the afternoon, a cultural program in the evening, and a raffle draw and band show at night.
