BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said ensuring government’s accountability to people requires the establishment of democratic practices across all sectors of the country.
"The people of Bangladesh have many expectations from BNP. One of the most fundamental among them is to establish a proper system and ensure accountability," he said while virtually addressing the council session of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB).
The BNP leader said people from all walks of life are now looking forward to seeing a positive change and a transformation in the state system. "If we can gradually build a transparent, fair and democratic system everywhere, we will be able to ensure accountability at all levels," he said.
Tarique said it is not entirely true that there is no democratic practice within political parties. "Today's DAB council proves that the claim of no democratic practice inside political parties is not entirely accurate."
He mentioned that since DAB has begun practising democracy, BNP will also be able to gradually implement democratic practices at various levels within the party. "I firmly believe that, Insha'Allah, we can gradually introduce accountability at all levels — from local to national — across the country," the BN leader said.
Drawing from his long experience of living in London, he explained that in the UK, doctors who face abuse receive justice, and if patients or others are denied proper service, they too receive justice, as there is accountability in the state system. "Such a system of accountability is needed in Bangladesh."
The BNP leader mentioned that although Bangladesh gained independence more than 50 years ago, the democratic process has been repeatedly obstructed here.
"Unfortunately, I have to spend many years abroad... I have an experience that since there is accountability in this country (UK), when a patient goes to the government hospital, he gets a minimum service,” he said.
Tarique said it is not only about patients, but about everyone -- wherever they go, they should receive the service they are entitled to. "This is because, through years of effort, they built a system of accountability in society and in the state system. But this has not yet been developed in Bangladesh."
The National Council-2025 of DAB, a pro-BNP platform for doctors, was held on the premises of Willes Little Flower School and College in the capital's Kakrail area.
BSS adds: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed gratitude to all the doctors who treated former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia over the past eight years.
"A team, including Professor Dr A.T.M. Farid Uddin, had been treating his mother during this period. People across the country know her as Deshnetri Khaleda Zia. As her son, and as family members who could not be by her side during this time, we sincerely thank these doctors from the bottom of our hearts," Tarique Rahman said.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the national conference of the Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at Willes Little Flower School and College in the capital on Saturday.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the event as a special guest, while DAB President Professor Dr Harun Al Rashid presided over it. National University Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Lutfor Rahman moderated the conference.
Tarique Rahman said the doctors' dedication was no less than that of a family member. "In some cases, it seems they have taken even more responsibility than a son. For this, we are extremely grateful to the entire medical community," he said
He also thanked DAB members for treating victims of political oppression over the past decade and a half. "For more than a decade, BNP leaders, activists and even ordinary citizens, who were not involved in politics, have protested against injustices. Many were injured in doing so. DAB members cared for these victims, and on behalf of all who received treatment, I sincerely thank you," he said.
Calling for cooperation to implement the BNP's 31-point plan, he said doctors who believe in Bangladeshi nationalism have an important role in meeting healthcare-related goals in the plan. "These cannot be achieved by our party's Members of Parliament or leaders alone," he noted.
Highlighting the need for collective effort to realise a new vision for Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman concluded by saying, "If we all work together to fulfil the expectations of those who sacrificed during the July Mass Uprising and in the past 15 years, we will be able to build the Bangladesh of our dreams. For this, everyone must contribute, even if only a little."
