The crisis of professors at Mymensingh Medical College has reached its peak, thanks to the negligence of the Ministry of Health. There are only 20 professors in 55 departments of one of the country’s oldest medical schools, established in 1962.

The college authorities say they have contacted the ministry multiple times to fill these posts.

Students and teachers say the college has been contributing to the medical education system in the country with its reputation. The alumni of this college are performing important duties in various workplaces in the country and abroad. If these positions are filled, the quality of education and reputation of this college will improve significantly.

Currently, some 1,500 students are in MBBS, while 375 are doing their post-graduation. The college has 55 departments, but professor posts are vacant in Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Medicine, Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine, General/Clinical Neurology, Physical Medicine, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Burn & Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Paediatrics, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, Radiology & Imaging, Radiotherapy, ENT, Rheumatology, and Dentistry.

Professors now serving duties are Dr Seheli Akhter Sultana in the Department of Anatomy, Dr Akhtarun Nesa in Physiology, Dr Manabendra Bhattacharya in Neuro Medicine, Dr Ashutosh Saha in Nephrology, Dr Chittaranjan Debnath in Hepatology, Dr Abul Kalam Azad in Surgery, Dr Tanjina Latif in Gynaecology and Obs, Dr Nazrul Islam in Neonatology, and Dr Habibur Rahman in the Department of Haematology.

However, due to a lack of professors, several departments are being run by associate professors working as the head of department (as an additional duty).

These department heads are Associate Professor Dr Sultana Alam in the Virology Department, Dr Samimul Masood in the Pharmacology Department, Dr Khurshid Alam in the Medicine Department, Dr Saiful Islam in the Orthopaedic Surgery Department, and Dr Jahangir Alam in the ENT Department.

Health Affairs Secretary of Mymensingh District Awami League and district BMA President Dr Matiur Rahman Bhuiyan thinks effective action will be taken soon.

He said: “I went to the ministry after the formation of the new government to talk about this matter. However, it was not possible to meet with the new health minister. The lawmaker from the Mymensingh Sadar constituency, Mohit Ur Rahman Shanto, has also been informed about this.”

MMC Principal Professor Dr Habibur Rahman told Bangla Tribune that the situation has been abysmal for a long time.

“Demand letters have been sent to the Ministry of Health several times for this. Since many professor posts are vacant, the working associate professors and assistant professors have been made department heads alongside their current duties,” he added.