Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder and valiant freedom fighter Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury is no more. He breathed his last at his founded hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday at the age of 81. We deeply mourn his death.
In spite of his worsening health, he was more active and hard-working than many healthy persons. Earlier, death had also knocked on his door several times. He was attacked by Covid-19. Then both of his kidneys and liver were damaged. However, so long he survived miraculously.
He remained actively committed to his lifelong mission for which he provided healthcare facilities at an avoidable cost. He built Gonoshasthaya Kendra Hospital for which he will be gratefully remembered by the poor and under-privilege people. He begged, borrowed and as a freedom fighter used his contacts and persuasive power to make his dream come true. It was not easy. It was not an easy feat.
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury was a well-known physician. Despite being seriously ill, he played an active role also as a socio-political reformist. He chose to do in the service of our people and unstintingly worked for them, particularly for the unprivileged until his death. For this, he will be remembered for his selfless service in the cause of medicare for the poor at an affordable cost. He famously earned reputation of being a poor man’s doctor.
Though he was not a politician but as a conscious citizen he was active for the cause of the people. He led an unbelievably simple life. His self-less dedication to the service of the people in general should make us all proud.
After completing MBBS from Dhaka Medical College in 1964, he went to London to study the FRCS course. When the country’s great Liberation War started in 1971, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury was then in the FRCS final year course. After hearing the Pakistan army’s brutal attacks on the unarmed civilians here, he rushed to join the helpless refugees who took shelter in India to be useful to them. He, with fellow doctors, set up a field hospital to offer medical services.
His activism in the dark days of the pandemic in Bangladesh was also exemplary. His deep love for his country and the people also drove him to tirelessly campaign on various socio-political issues. Every time there was an injustice, he was among the first ones to raise voice of protest.
With his death the nation lost a self-less fighter in the cause of public good. We mourn his death and pay tributes for his contribution to the welfare of the people and the country.
