Devote more time to medical research: PM tells doctors

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday asked the doctors in the country to devote more time to research in medical science burying the mentality of doing private practice to just earn money.

"We are lagging behind in one sector and that is the research in medical science. Doctors are engaged in practicing and earning money, and they don't bother to go for research work," she said.

The prime minister was distributing cheques of "Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship," "National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship" and special research donations among teachers, scientists, researchers and students of different universities.

The Science and Technology Ministry arranged the programme at the Prime Minister Office.

Sheikh Hasina asked the doctors among the audience about the facts of private practice of the physicians.

"It is correct. There are doctors over there, and I am asking them directly," she said.

The prime minister requested them to put emphasis on research works from now on.

"Importance has to be given to the research works because the people of the country have to be healthy, strong and meritorious. They need to get a chance to flourish. For that research is essential," she added.

She said the government will give a special stimulus package to those who will be involved in health related research.

"I will again request the doctors who are in public service to reduce their private practice and give more time to research works," she said.

She said the government will do everything it needs to encourage research.

PM Hasina mentioned about the outcome of research works in the agricultural sector where the country became self-sufficient in food production.

"Research opens the door of development. We have to put the highest importance on science and health related research," she said.

The prime minister said the government is very much sincere in removing all sorts of obstacles in any kind of research.

She also mentioned that the money invested for the research is coming from the pocket of the mass people of the country.

"This public money must have to be used for the welfare of the people. You have to keep this in mind always," she said.

Talking about the second nuclear power plant, the prime minister said the government has built Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and it had tried to build another one in the southern region of the country.

"But the soil in the southern region is so soft. We have tested soil in every island, but it is not possible to build such a plant there," she said.

She mentioned that after completing the present power plant, the government will build the second one also in Rooppur.

"I have asked the science and technology minister to start the second one just after finishing the first one and we have to take preparation for that from now on," she said.

Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on Science and Technology Ministry Zahed Maleque and Science and Technology Secretary Md Ali Hossain also spoke.