Asif Nazrul clarifies remarks on doctors, says criticism not against all
“I want to state clearly that my criticism was only about some doctors, not the entire community. Many doctors serve patients with immense sacrifice, honesty, and professionalism. To them, I sincerely apologise if my words hurt,” he says
Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul has clarified his recent remarks about doctors, saying his criticism was aimed at only a section of them, not the profession itself.
In a Facebook post today (17 August), the adviser said parts of his speech made during yesterday's event were not fully presented in newspapers, creating the impression that his comments were directed against all doctors.
"My complaints were not against all doctors. They were about a section of doctors who tend not to listen attentively to patients, prescribe unnecessary tests, or maintain questionable links with pharmaceutical companies," he wrote.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
He added, "I want to state clearly that my criticism was only about some doctors, not the entire community. Many doctors serve patients with immense sacrifice, honesty, and professionalism. To them, I sincerely apologise if my words hurt."
The adviser further explained that he began his speech by sharing positive personal experiences with doctors before highlighting some criticisms he heard from others. "I clearly said that these complaints do not apply to everyone."
Asif also urged the medical community to reflect on whether some of the criticisms might be true in certain cases and, if so, to take corrective action.
Yesterday, speaking at an event in the capital, the adviser criticised the tendency of the practice of prescribing unnecessary medical tests to extract extra money from patients.
"Patients complain that doctors do not listen to them. In our country, doctors prescribe many tests as soon as patients arrive. Stop giving unnecessary and pointless health tests," he said.
He further said, "In Bangladesh's major hospitals and clinics, there are designated times allotted for pharmaceutical company representatives to meet doctors."
"Are doctors acting as agents or middlemen for pharmaceutical companies?" the adviser questioned.
