Shah J. Choudhury
Professor Dr. A.B.M. Abdullah stands as a luminous figure in the fields of medical education and public service in Bangladesh. Yet, a recent decision within the country’s higher education and healthcare sector has sparked deep concern, disbelief, and widespread criticism. The cancellation of his lifetime appointment as Emeritus Professor at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), along with the directive to return all honorarium received during his tenure, has left the nation’s academic and medical communities profoundly unsettled.
This decision transcends administrative boundaries—it raises serious questions about how a nation values its intellectuals, educators, and lifelong contributors to public welfare. Dr. A.B.M. Abdullah is not merely an individual; he represents an institution in himself—a symbol of trust, dedication, and excellence.
With a career spanning several decades, his contributions as a physician, teacher, and researcher have earned both national and international recognition. Notably, his inclusion as a contributor to the globally acclaimed medical textbook Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine stands as a testament to his scholarly excellence and international stature—an achievement attained by only a select few in the medical profession.
Born in 1954 in Islampur, Jamalpur, Dr. Abdullah’s journey reflects a life of relentless dedication. After completing his higher secondary education at Dhaka College and earning his MBBS degree from Dhaka Medical College in 1978, he chose not to pursue immediate urban success. Instead, he served in rural areas, offering medical care to underserved communities—a decision that defined his commitment to humanity.
His professional journey later took him to Saudi Arabia, followed by advanced training in the United Kingdom, where he earned the prestigious MRCP degree from the Royal College of Physicians in 1992. Despite opportunities abroad, he returned to Bangladesh—driven by a deep sense of responsibility to serve his own people.
At BSMMU, his academic and leadership roles were marked by distinction. From Assistant Professor to Chairman of the Department of Medicine, and being elected Dean of the Faculty of Medicine three times, his leadership was consistently affirmed by his peers. His contributions were formally recognized through prestigious honors, including the Ekushey Padak in 2016 and an honorary fellowship from Bangla Academy in 2017. In 2022, he was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor—an acknowledgment of his lifelong service to medical education.
Dr. Abdullah’s influence extends far beyond lecture halls. His authored textbooks—Short Cases in Clinical Medicine, Long Cases in Clinical Medicine, ECG in Medical Practice, among others—are foundational texts across South Asia. Thousands of physicians proudly acknowledge that his books played a pivotal role in shaping their careers.
Equally significant is his contribution to public health awareness. Through his writings in Bangla, he has made complex medical knowledge accessible to the general public, fostering a culture of health consciousness. His works on national history further reflect his intellectual depth and civic commitment.
In light of such an extraordinary legacy, the recent treatment of this distinguished physician and educator is not merely a personal affront—it is a matter of national concern. It reflects a troubling precedent where decades of service, scholarship, and integrity risk being overshadowed by administrative decisions.
A nation’s true strength lies in how it honors those who dedicate their lives to knowledge, service, and humanity. The dignity of Professor Dr. A.B.M. Abdullah is inseparable from the dignity of Bangladesh’s medical education system itself.
It is imperative, therefore, that this decision be reconsidered with fairness, wisdom, and respect. Restoring his rightful honor is not just about one individual—it is about upholding the values of merit, integrity, and national pride.
