THE BANGABHABAN : The President House of Bangladesh

Speech of

Honorable President Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed
at
the 2nd International Conference
on
"Updates on Management in Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery".

Venue: Dhaka Sheraton Hotel
Date: 30 November 2007

	Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
	Honorable Advisor Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. ASM Matiur Rahman, Dr. A. M. Shamim, Managing Director, Labaid Cardiac Hospital, Renowned Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons from home and abroad, Distinguished guests,, Ladies and Gentlemen, Assalamu Alaikum and good morning. I am indeed delighted to join with you this morning at the inaugural ceremony of the second international conference on �Updates on Management in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery� organised by Labaid Cardiac Hospital. I deem it a privilege to be among the talented scholars, distinguished scientists, illustrious faculty members and academic leaders both from home and abroad who have gathered here. The collaborative sponsorship between the professional fraternity and the health care provider in private sector demonstratively describes a powerful coalition with a common interest � the interest of improving health care of the people. I thank the authority of Labaid Cardiac Hospital to organize this timely conference on cardiology and cardiac surgery. I also extend my sincere thanks to the foreign participants and wish them a pleasant stay in Dhaka. Ladies and Gentlemen, As you know cardiovascular diseases are regarded as the major health burden in developing countries like Bangladesh. Every year, the number of deaths are alarmingly increasing due to cardiovascular diseases. South Asia comprising of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka represents more than quarter of the developing world, and is likely to be strongly affected by the increase in cardiovascular disease. As you know the treatment of cardiovascular diseases are very expensive and most of the people of our country cannot afford the expenses. In this backdrop, I call upon Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons along with Government and non-Government organizations to launch massive awareness building and preventive programmes to address this alarming issue. I also stress the need for enhancing research activities on this particular issue so that the death rate due to cardiovascular diseases could be reduced. Ladies and Gentlemen, The modern medical sciences have discovered many new tools both for diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases; there are increasing numbers of new pharmaceutical agents being discovered for treatment of heart diseases. While such drugs and technologies are essential, information about these dreadful diseases in terms of their causes and preventive measures are equally vital in the battle against them. We should, therefore, recognize and include prevention of cardiovascular diseases as part of the primary health care strategy for the betterment of the people of this region. Ladies and Gentlemen, This conference sees a congregation of a galaxy of renowned cardiologists and cardiac surgeon both from home and abroad. It provides a unique opportunity to them to come closer together, strengthen the bonds of professional and social fraternity through exchange of views and ideas. I believe the discussion, deliberation and presentation of scientific papers during the conference shall not only be rewarding for each one of you but also seek to explore newer grounds in terms of identifying techniques and technical know how to further improving the status of cardiac care in our country. I hope you will be able to explore new direction, scientific stimulation and positive reinforcement of newer ideas and information through the conference. Dear Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons, You are involved in a noble profession and you have ample opportunities to serve the mankind. People seek your service at the time of their critical moment when they lay in between life and death. The patient and his family deserves your precious advice and care at the very moment. I believe you are fully aware of it and respond instantly to serve the patients. I call upon you all to come forward for the well-being of the have-nots section of the society imbued with the sense of obligation and responsibility. With these few words, Ladies and Gentlemen, I congratulate you all once again and I formally declare the second international conference on �Updates on Management in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery� Open. Allah Hafez, Bangladesh Zindabad.