DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (April 6) said it is unfortunate that basic rights of people were ignored by the post 1975 governments.

She came up with the observation while addressing the program organized on the occasion of laying foundation stone of ‘Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery’ building in city.

Construction of this building is a part of transforming the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) into a full-fledged burn institute.

The premier said: “It was our bad luck that those who seized power illegally after the murder of Bangabandhu in 1975 had never thought an iota about fundamental rights of general people.”

“It is the government’s duty to fulfill the fundamental rights of the countrymen and incumbent government is working to that end,” she added.

Indicating BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the premier said, “A leader announced not to return her house without dethroning the government. For the next 93 days she ordered her party men to burn general people. This is not politics”.

Mentioning that ruling Awami League (AL) do politics for the betterment of people, she asked, how can one expect to get people’s support after burning them alive.

Sheikh Hasina, however, thanked the burn unit physicians for saving people’s lives through diligent effort.

The premier also hoped the Institute will be a center of excellence.

A center of excellence (CoE) is a team, a shared facility or an entity that provides leadership, best practices, research, support and/or training for a focus area.

The PM also said the government was working to increase the number of skilled physicians in the grassroot level.

She also asked the hospital authorities to be more careful about disposing medical wastes.

Hinting to the reconstruction of the old buildings in the older section of Dhaka city, the PM said human life was more important than heritage and government would do everything within its power to secure people’s lives.

Health secretary Syed Manzurul Islam presided over the inauguration ceremony. He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and Bangabandhu Memorial Trust.

Health minister Mohammed Nasim, state minister Zahid Maleque, DSCC mayor Sayeed Khokon, army chief Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Huq and DMCH burn unit coordinator Dr Samantalal Sen, among others, addressed the program.

BDST: 1411 HRS, APR 06, 2016
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