A budget of some Tk 1,054.33 crore has been approved for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for the fiscal year 2024-25. The 92nd syndicate meeting, presided over by BSMMU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Deen Mohd Noorul Huq, approved the budget at the university’s Shahid Dr Milton Hall on Thursday.
Last year, the budget was Tk 784.2 crore. This year, the budget has increased by Tk 270.13 crore or 34.45 per cent. The budget deficit stands at Tk 264.69 crore.
The budget was presented by Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr Mohammed Atiqur Rahman. In the proposed budget, it was announced that Tk 30.7 crore will be allocated for research and Tk 4.9 crore for training, totalling Tk 35.6 crore for research and training.
Some Tk 275.65 crore has been allocated for salaries, Tk 213.25 crore for allowances, and Tk 47.34 crore for pensions.
The allocation for medical and surgical expenses (MSR) has been increased to Tk 100 crore. For student scholarships, Tk 123.13 crore has been allocated. Additionally, Tk 22 crore has been allocated for sanitation.
This year, the anticipated allocation from the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division is Tk 683.74 crore, from the Ministry of Education (University Grants Commission) is Tk 245.58 crore, and own revenue has been set at Tk 125 crore.
While presenting the budget, Atiqur Rahman stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is giving utmost importance to education, healthcare, and research. Despite the budget allocation being lower than the demand, efforts will continue to establish a world-class medical university with quality and affordable healthcare services, health education, and research with the received budget and own revenue.
He added that the prime minister's dream is to transform the country into a Smart Bangladesh by 2041. This year's budget has been prepared to provide smart healthcare services to the growing population of the country, in line with this vision.
In his speech, he announced free treatment for congenital heart disease, financial aid for poor patients from the prime minister's fund, automation initiatives, the establishment of a genome sequencing lab for research, online report delivery, and the modernisation and expansion of the Institute of Paediatric Neurodisorder and Autism (IPNA) and various other departments.
Noorul Huq, in his speech, expressed gratitude to President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for appointing him as the vice-chancellor.
He said BSMMU has achieved international success by having its journal recognised in the Scopus index. “This is a matter of great pride and honour for the entire country,” he stated.
He further added that the current administration is taking the necessary steps to achieve recognition of the university's journal in PubMed, the archive for biomedical and life sciences journals. To advance research activities with efficiency and human resource development, collaboration with the World Health Organization has been strengthened.
Discussing the budget, he mentioned that currently, students are receiving a monthly scholarship of Tk 25,000. Postgraduate students are being provided with thesis grants. “The residency course is a fully residential postgraduate education system, but there are no residential halls for students,” he sadi.
“There are also no residential facilities for doctors, staff, and nurses. An additional Tk 450 crore is needed to construct two separate residential halls for students and to ensure housing facilities for the working staff,” he added.
The meeting was attended by various health personnel from different institutions.
