Al Mamun | USA
Dhaka Medical College (DMC), an inseparable part of Bangladesh’s healthcare history and the movement for self-determination, has achieved the state’s highest honor, the 'Independence Award-2026'. Known as the 'last resort' for the common people of the country, the institution was honored for its outstanding and glorious contributions to medical science.
In a grand ceremony held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman handed over the prestigious medal to the representatives of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. As part of the award, the institution was presented with an 18-karat gold medal weighing fifty grams, a certificate of honor, and a symbolic check.
Established in 1946, this college is not only the cradle for producing skilled doctors but has also played a heroic role in every national crisis—from the Language Movement of 1952 to the Great War of Liberation in 1971. In terms of bed capacity, it is currently the 11th largest hospital in the world. However, if patients treated on the floors and in the corridors are taken into account, it rightfully claims a spot among the top 10 hospitals globally.
Glimpses of Glory Through Reminiscence
Mahbub Mutanabbi (Batch K-35), a former student and ex-Registrar of Dhaka Medical College, highlighted the significance of this achievement and the inner workings of the hospital on his Facebook page. Key highlights from his reflections include:
• A Hub of Talent: Reminiscing about the 1970s, he wrote that the campus was vibrant with the country’s brightest minds. The classrooms were filled with students who had secured top positions in national merit lists.
• Presence of Legends: The walls of this hospital hold the memories of eminent figures such as Mother Teresa, and the final days of greats like Syed Mujtaba Ali, Principal Ibrahim Khan, and poet Ahsan Habib.
• Achieving the Impossible: Despite limited resources, DMCH has set an incredible record by performing nearly 50,000 surgeries annually and providing free outdoor services to over 5,000 patients daily. Mutanabbi rightly noted that doctors donating their own blood for patients during emergencies is a common occurrence here.
• A Well-Deserved Recognition: In his view, this award was due long ago. He welcomed the achievement, albeit delayed, with the phrase, "Better late than never."
In his review, Mahbub Mutanabbi further mentioned that this award does not belong to Dhaka Medical College alone. It serves as a symbolic recognition of the tireless efforts of all old government medical colleges in the country that continue to provide uninterrupted service under immense pressure.
This national achievement of Dhaka Medical College is a massive inspiration for every worker in the country’s health sector. It is the hope of all stakeholders that this legacy of self-dedication to the service of the common man will be further strengthened in the future, transcending the challenges of mismanagement.
