Syed Modasser Ali

Last updated

Syed Modasser Ali
Syed modasser ali.jpg
Syed Modasser Ali
Born (1946-02-01) 1 February 1946 (age 78)
Gopalganj, Faridpur district, Bengal Presidency
Education Dhaka Medical College
Known forCommunity ophthalmology
Medical career
Profession Eye Surgeon
Institutions Bangladesh Government, WHO, National Institute of Ophthalmology (Bangladesh), Dhaka University
Sub-specialties Anterior segment surgery, cataract, public health
Research Community ophthalmology
Awards World No Tobacco Day Award 2010, [1] BCOS Lifetime Achievement Award 2008 [2]

Syed Modasser Ali FRCS , FRCOpth (Bengali : সৈয়দ মোদাচ্ছের আলী) is an ophthalmic surgeon from Bangladesh and was the Health, Family Welfare and Social Welfare adviser to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, from 2009 to 2013. [3] [4] He is the founder of Mojibunnessa Eye Hospital, the first registered [5] eye hospital in Bangladesh and founding editor-in-chief of the Bangladesh Ophthalmic Journal, the first peer-review ophthalmic journal in Bangladesh. [6] He is regarded as one of the pioneers of Community Ophthalmology (public eye health) and his book titled Community Ophthalmology, published in 1985, is considered to be the first textbook on the subject by the British Journal of Ophthalmology . [7] He is currently overseeing the Bangladesh Community Clinic programme as chair of the board of trustees. [8] [9] He is an executive board member [10] of the World Health Organization (WHO), having previously served on the board twice before.

Contents

In 2013, Ali was named as one of the 20 most innovative surgeons alive by healthcare education website Healthcare-Administration-Degree.net. [11] He is also a recipient of Bangladesh National Personality Research Centre's Freedom Fighter Award for his services during the Bangladesh Liberation War. [12]

Early life

Ali was born in February 1946 to a Bengali family of Syeds in Gopalganj, then part of the Faridpur district of the Bengal Province.

Career

Ali was the Health and Family Welfare and Social Welfare adviser to the Bangladeshi prime minister, from 2009 to 2013, with the full rank and status of a senior cabinet minister. [13] [14] He was one of seven advisers (one of only five with a portfolio) to the government providing the prime minister and the cabinet advise on various national and international issues. [15] [16] He was also a member of the executive committee of the National Economic Council, the highest political authority for consideration of development projects in Bangladesh, during this time. He is currently overseeing the Bangladesh Community Clinic programme as chair of the board of trustees. [8] [9]

He was the Director-General [17] of Health Services for the Bangladesh government in 2001, Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Medicine and Research at Dhaka University from 1998 to 2001, chairman of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) [18] from 1998 to 2003 and director (and professor emeritus) of the National Institute of Ophthalmology [19] in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 1997 to 2001. Under his chairmanship BMRC was awarded the prestigious WHO 50th Anniversary Primary Healthcare Development Award in 1998. [20] He was also the president of the Ophthalmic Society of Bangladesh and in January 2015 the first peer-reviewed ophthalmic journal in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Ophthalmic Journal, was launched with Ali as the founding editor-in-chief. He is currently the chairman of the governing body of Dhaka City College, one of the oldest colleges in Bangladesh, [21] a member of the board of directors of Beacon Pharmaceuticals Limited (Bangladesh), the first manufacturer of anticancer drugs in Bangladesh, [22] and has returned as chairman of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council. [23]

Ali has been a lifelong anti-smoking campaigner and played a central role in the banning of smoking in public places [24] in his home country of Bangladesh where nearly 50% of adults use tobacco for recreational purposes. [25] In his capacity as the health and family welfare adviser to the prime minister of Bangladesh, he oversaw changes in legislation to fully comply with the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control [26] and was awarded the WHO World No Tobacco Day Award 2010 for his work on tobacco control. [1] He was also the vice-president of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) representing the WHO South-East Asia Region from 2010 to 2012. [27]

Political life

While studying for his medical degree at Dhaka Medical College, Ali was elected as the vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Bangladesh Awami League. However, since then he has terminated any official affiliation with the Awami League, but has been the personal physician of the current Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina. He was active in negotiations with the military-backed Bangladesh caretaker government regarding sending Hasina, who was detained on corruption charges, abroad for treatment, [28] [29] [30] [31] and threatened to sue the government over negligence regarding Hasina's treatment during her detention in 2008. [32] He also served as a government adviser to Sheikh Hasina, the current prime minister of Bangladesh, [33] and was involved in the formulation of the prime minister's peace model presented at the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly. [34]

Books

Ali has authored several books on community ophthalmology and politics.

Personal life

He is married and has three children.

Hallmark Group loan scam

On 29 August 2012, the Anti Corruption Commission of Bangladesh said they have information that Ali allegedly influenced Sonali Bank authorities into granting a scam loan to the controversial Hallmark Group, an allegation that he denied. [35] No charges were brought against Ali following an investigation by a specially convened parliamentary committee. [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Awami League</span> Political party in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Awami League, often simply called the Awami League or AL, is one of the major political parties in Bangladesh, being the ruling party since 2009, and has since been described as authoritarian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Bangladesh</span> Head of Government of Bangladesh

The prime minister of Bangladesh, officially prime minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the chief executive of the government of Bangladesh. The prime minister and the cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Parliament, to their political party and ultimately to the electorate. The prime minister is ceremonially appointed by the president of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheikh Hasina</span> Prime Minister of Bangladesh (1996–2001, since 2009)

Sheikh Hasina Wazed is a Bangladeshi politician who has served as the tenth Prime Minister of Bangladesh from June 1996 to July 2001 and again since January 2009. She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first president of Bangladesh. Having served for a combined total of over 19 years, she is the longest serving prime minister in the history of Bangladesh. As of 25 February 2024, she is the world's longest-serving female head of government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad</span> President of Bangladesh in 1975

Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad was a Bangladeshi politician. He was the fourth president of Bangladesh from 15 August to 6 November 1975, after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He was involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975. He took on the role of president immediately after the assassination, praised the assassins as "sons of the sun" and put cabinet ministers loyal to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in jail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University</span> Public medical university in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) is a graduate medical university in Bangladesh. It was established in 1965. The university offers postgraduate degrees only, not offering undergraduate medical or dental degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fazlul Qadir Chaudhry</span> Indian politician

Fazlul Quader Chowdhury was a Bengali politician who served as the 5th speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan from East Pakistan. He belonged to Ayub Khan's Convention Muslim League. He was also the Acting President of Pakistan from time to time when Ayub Khan left the country. His elder brother Fazlul Kabir Chowdhury was the leader of the opposition in East Pakistan assembly. Quader was preceded by Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan of Awami League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Bangladesh (1971–present)</span> History of Bangladesh after gaining independence from Pakistan

The history of Bangladesh (1971–present) refers to the period after the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dipu Moni</span> Bangladeshi politician and the Social Welfare Minister of Bangladesh

Dipu Moni is a Bangladeshi politician and Minister of Social Welfare of Bangladesh. She is a Member of Parliament for Chandpur-3 constituency. She was Minister of Education in Fourth Hasina Cabinet and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Second Hasina Cabinet. She was appointed the first female Foreign Minister on 6 January 2009 after victory for the Awami League-led Grand Alliance on 29 December 2008. Currently she is Joint secretary of Bangladesh Awami League

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahara Khatun</span> Bangladeshi politician (1943–2020)

Sahara Khatun was a Bangladesh Awami League politician and a cabinet minister. She was the incumbent Jatiyo Sangsad member representing the Dhaka-18 constituency, and was the presidium member of the party.

'Remians are the graduates of Dhaka Residential Model College, a college in Bangladesh. Students of the Dhaka Residential Model College (DRMC) are called Remians. The term is regarded as a prestigious designation held by graduates of DRMC. Remians founded an organization in Bangladesh known as ORWA, the Old Remians Welfare Association. Remians who are living in Canada have formed Remians Canada to increase the fraternity among the Remians living in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheikh Jamal</span> Bangladeshi army officer (1954–1975)

Sheikh Jamal was the second son of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh.

The Khelafat Majlish, also spelt Khelafat Majlis, is a far-right Islamist political party in Bangladesh. The party was founded in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in 1989 by Deobandi scholar Azizul Haque along with Ahmad Abdul Qadir and former leaders of the National Awami Party and Tamaddun Majlish. Since its founding, it has only ever gained one seat in the country's National Parliament. The party split into two in 2005, with Azizul Haque's faction taking the name Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amir Hossain Amu</span> Bangladeshi politician and Member of Parliament

Amir Hossain Amu is a Bangladeshi politician, the incumbent Member of Parliament from Jhalokati-2, and served as the Minister of Industries during 2014–2018. He is currently the coordinator and spokesman for the Awami League-led 14-party Grand Alliance.

Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim is a Bangladeshi politician who is a Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Gopalganj-2 constituency since 1991. He is a member of the standing committee of Bangladesh Awami League party. He also served as the minister of Health and Family Welfare during 1999–2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Bangladeshi general election</span>

General elections were held in Bangladesh on 30 December 2018 to elect 300 directly-elected members of the Jatiya Sangsad. The result was another landslide victory for the Awami League-led Grand Alliance led by Sheikh Hasina. The elections were marred by violence, and were widely considered by opposition politicians and the international community to be rigged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheikh Hasina Medical College, Tangail</span>

Sheikh Hasina Medical College, Tangail is a government medical school in Bangladesh, established in 2014. It is situated at the Kodalia Area of Tangail city.

Kazi Zafarullah is a Bangladeshi industrialist and Politician. He is the Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League its Central Executive Committee. He was Member of Parliament from Faridpur-5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AFM Ruhal Haque</span> Bangladeshi politician

AFM Ruhal Haque is a Bangladesh Awami League politician and a former Minister of Health and Family Welfare. He is the incumbent Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Satkhira-3 constituency since 2009.

Sheikh Helal Uddin is a Bangladesh Awami League politician and member of parliament from Bagerhat-1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury</span> Bangladeshi Journalist

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi journalist and editor of The Daily Observer. He served as the Media and Information Affairs advisor to Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina for almost 5 years.

References

  1. 1 2 "WHO World No Tobacco Day 2010 Awards – the winners". Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
  2. ↑ "The Daily Star, Bangladesh: 8 lakh suffer from blindness" . Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  3. ↑ "Bangladesh Government: The Prime Minister's Advisers". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  4. ↑ "The New Nation: Move for small clean govt: Distribution of some portfolios raises questions". Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  5. ↑ "Mojibunnessa Eye Hospital: About us" . Retrieved 17 September 2009.[ dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Bangladesh Ophthalmic Journal, Volume 1 Issue 1". Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Community Ophthalmology, Book Review, BJO" (PDF). Retrieved 17 December 2007.
  8. 1 2 "BSS: Trust for community clinics formed" . Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  9. 1 2 "The Daily Sun: Trust for community clinics formed" . Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  10. ↑ "3rd Annual Meeting, School Health Component of the Mega Country Network, WHO" (PDF). Retrieved 30 November 2007.
  11. ↑ "Healthcare Administration Degree Programs: 20 Most Innovative Surgeons Alive Today". December 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "The Bangladesh Observer: 26 personalities get Gunijan Awards" . Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  13. ↑ "The Financial Express: Hasina's maiden day as PM" . Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  14. ↑ "Prime Minister's Office, Bangladesh – Advisers". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  15. ↑ "The New Nation: News analysis: Competence of ministers". Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  16. ↑ "Siddique made adviser". bdnews24.com. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  17. ↑ "Fourth Annual Meeting of School Health Component of Mega Country Network, WHO" (PDF). Retrieved 23 December 2007.
  18. ↑ "Eighteenth Meeting of the Ministers of Health of SEAR, SEARO, WHO". WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011.
  19. ↑ "Report of WHO/UNICEF/UNFPA Coordinating Committee on Health (CCH), WHO". Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  20. ↑ Harun-Ar-Rashid (2012). "Bangladesh Medical Research Council". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  21. ↑ "Dhaka City College governing body". Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "Beacon Pharmaceuticals Limited - LankaBangla Financial Portal". Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) Executive Committee". Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "BSMMU, Dhaka Medical made smoking free". The Daily Star. 15 February 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  25. ↑ "Global Adult Tobacco Survey: Bangladesh Report 2009" (PDF). World Health Organization, Country Office for Bangladesh. OCLC   702354547. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  26. ↑ "WHO Bangladesh: Launching Ceremony of Global Adult Tobacco Survey" . Retrieved 19 March 2010.[ dead link ]
  27. ↑ "WHO FCTC: Bureau of the Conference of the Parties" . Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  28. ↑ "The Bangladesh Awami League: Personal physicians request CA to send Sheikh Hasina to USA". Archived from the original on 14 June 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  29. ↑ "The Daily Star, Bangladesh: Govt asked to return Hasina's passport" . Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  30. ↑ "The Daily Star, Bangladesh: Hasina's doctor writes letter to CA" . Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  31. ↑ "BBC News: Bangladesh former PM flies to US". 12 June 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  32. ↑ "Hasina wants to return end of Sept: doctor". bdnews24.com. 17 August 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
  33. ↑ "Bangladesh Government: Prime Minister's Office – Key Personal". Archived from the original on 17 February 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2009.
  34. ↑ "United National General Assembly Second Committee Special Event – People's Empowerment: A Peace Model" (PDF). Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  35. ↑ "Adviser's shadow in Hallmark scam". The Daily Star. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  36. ↑ "Modasser's behaviour unusual". bdnews24.com. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.