Absence of teachers hampers academic activities at Nazrul Islam Medical College

DOT Desk
The academic activities at Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College have been hampered for absence of teachers for long, reports The Daily Observer. Besides, local people have become frustrated as the hospital operation is yet to start in the last six years.
The medical college was built at the cost of Taka 600 crore. The Principal of the college Dr Md Ruhul Amin Khan has remained absent for long, but he is withdrawing salary from his account regularly. Despite repeated reminder, the principal is not taking steps to solve the problem. The physicians and elite of the society have expressed anger in this connection and sought intervention of the president to solve the problem.
Medical sources said, after Dhaka Medical College Hospital, there is required manpower in all the departments of Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College. But most of the professors, associate professors and doctors remain absent regularly.
As per the rule, the teachers should give service at Kishoreganj 250-Bed Hospital after taking classes at the college, but they go away to their respective houses after taking classes.
Sources said, the government approved the project to build Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College in 2012-13 fiscal year. At that time, a total of 32 acres of land at Jashodal Mouza of the town was acquired. In the same year, the contractor concerned started the construction work.
While visiting the college recently, it was found that the principal is absent. The teachers take classes for two to three days in a week.
While contacted, Doctor AKM Sazidur Rahman of Cardiology Department said he leaves the college for Dhaka after taking classes.
President of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), district unit, Dr Mahbub Iqbal said they asked the principal several times to do office regularly.
General Secretary of BMA, district unit, Dr Abdul Wahab Badal said the local people are frustrated over the whimsicality of the teachers of the college.
Vice-Principal of Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Dr Sajal Kumar Saha said, “We got a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office on October 18 last about starting hospital activities. We forwarded the letter but got no response. Some machineries for starting the hospital have arrived, and machineries worth Taka 30 crore are in pipeline.”
He also said, “There is no bar to start the hospital with some manpower. We have informed the matter to the Health Department.”
While asked, Principal of Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Dr Md Ruhul Amin Khan denied the allegations brought against him and said, “I remain absent for some days due to illness. The starting of the hospital doesn’t depend on me. It is the matter of the Health Department and the Health Ministry.”