PM asks for special focus on medical science research

BSS :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reiterated her call to put special focus on medical science research, urging all to take the country forward with fresh inventions to cope with the new global technologies.
“I can’t but say with a sorrow that research on agriculture and science is going on, but our research on medical science is fewer in number. So give special attention to medical science research,” she said.
The prime minister was distributing cheques of “Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship,” “National Science and Technology Fellowship” and special research donations among teachers, scientists, researchers and students of different universities.
The Science and Technology Ministry arranged the ceremony at Osmani Smriti Auditorium in the capital.
The prime minister expressed a bit dismay saying a section of physicians either joins the government services or politics after obtaining MBBS degrees shunning practices and research.
And another section is busy with income, for which, they do government services and private practices at the same time, she said.
“Fewer people are doing research on medical sciences. Research on medical science has increased a little bit after I have told it time and again,” she added.
The prime minister said her government aims at reaching the scientific and technological advancement to a new height. So, she wants vigorous efforts from scientists and researchers to help the country cope with newer global technologies, she continued.
The scientists and researchers will have to give commendable returns to the nation to prepare people worthy of working in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), she said.
“Technology has changed over times and we are now at the era of the 4IR as we need new technologies to be further developed and to make efficient manpower to overcome the challenges of the new era,” she said.
 Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman and its Senior Secretary Ziaul Hasan spoke at the function.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is doing everything possible for the advancement of science and technology, mainly to build a skilled manpower fit for work in the fourth industrial revolution.
 The premier said they had given topmost importance to research after assuming power in 1996 and provided allocation (Tk 12 crore) for research for the first time in country’s history and then started keeping Tk 100 crore as block allocation in the budget.
 About fellowships, she said 682 persons were conferred Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship and provided with an overall Tk 268.70 crore from 2010-11 fiscal year to 2022-23 FY.
 Since 2009-10 fiscal year to the current FY, a total of 25,701 students and researchers were conferred with National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship and provided with an overall 157.51 crore, she continued.
 The prime minister said Tk 177. 54 crore was also given as special research donations to different research institutes and organisations against 5521 projects since 2009-10 FY.
 She requested those who received the fellowships and donations to give more attention to research, saying, “Please do research with sincerity. I want to know what you are going to invent and how it benefits our country.”