Bangladesh's 'doctor for poor' Zafrullah Chowdhury dies

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, founder of the first hospital in Bangladesh, died on Tuesday. He was 81.

He was admitted to Gonoshasthaya Kendra, the hospital he founded, several days ago in the capital Dhaka and was on life support since Monday, Monjur Kader Ahmed, a senior hospital official, told reporters.

The hospital started as a makeshift facility to treat the wounded in 1971, when Bangladesh fought a bloody war for independence from Pakistan.

With time, it grew into a state-of-the-art facility in the capital Dhaka where the poor were treated free of cost.

"Chowdhury was famous as the 'doctor for poor.' He has never compromised to any power," recalled Dr. Rashid-e-Mahbub, his medical college fellow and co-activist.

“Chowdhury was involved in so many rights movements from his student life in Dhaka until his last breath. After completing his MBBS degree in 1966, he went to the UK for a higher degree at the Royal College of Surgeons but weeks before his final examination he left the UK to join the independence war in 1971,” Rashid added.

Chowdhury devised the country's first national medical policy in 1982.

Because of his unflinching campaign, the government banned hundreds of unnecessary and harmful medicines, Rashid said.

Chowdhury was awarded the Independence Award, the highest civilian award in Bangladesh, along with many international awards.

Chowdhury is survived by his wife and two sons.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed "deep shock and sorrow" at his death.