Dr SM Ziauddin Hyder appointed PM's special assistant on health affairs

The government today (22 April) appointed SM Ziauddin Hyder as special assistant to the prime minister on health affairs, with the status and benefits of a state minister.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the appointment has been made under Rule 3B(ii) of the Rules of Business, 1996 and will take effect immediately.

He will enjoy the rank, salary, allowances and other facilities equivalent to a state minister while serving in the role.

Ziauddin Hyder previously served as a senior health and nutrition specialist at the World Bank and worked as an adviser to Khaleda Zia, former chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He also serves as an adviser to current BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Born in Naikathi village of Jhalakathi Sadar, his father, late Hormuz Ali, served as a senior assistant secretary. During the 1980s, Ziauddin Hyder was vice-president of Barishal district unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and president of the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College unit of the organisation.

As a health specialist and development professional, he worked for around 30 years in 35 countries across Asia, Africa and South America on sustainable health, nutrition and development programmes.

Most recently, he retired in February 2024 from World Bank's Washington DC office as a senior health and nutrition specialist. Following retirement, he served as an adjunct associate professor at University of the Philippines.

He was also a member of the BNP Central Election Steering Committee for the 13th national election.

Ziauddin Hyder completed his MBBS in 1988 from Sher-e-Bangla Medical College. He later obtained a master's degree in food and nutrition planning from the University of the Philippines and a PhD in nutrition and epidemiology from Umea University.