IEDCR director beaten inside his office
Photo: Professor Kazi Ahmed Zaki
Professor Kazi Ahmed Zaki, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), was assaulted inside his office.
The incident took place at around 11 am on Wednesday.
Speaking to Agamir Somoy at noon, IEDCR Director Professor Zaki said, “I was attacked here. This is a government office. Since the attack took place at a government office, the government will take action in this regard.”
He said he was going to inform State Minister for Health Dr. MA Muhit about the incident.
The director said the attack was carried out by miscreants. However, he did not identify them.
According to reports in various media outlets, members of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), an organization of pro-BNP physicians, were involved in the assault.
DAB Secretary General Zahirul Islam Shakil told Agamir Somoy, “Both the director who was assaulted and Dr. Zahid Hasan, who was involved in the attack, are lifetime members of DAB. We are looking into the matter.”
The DAB secretary general described the incident involving the director as unjust. He said that if the incident occurred using the organization’s name or influence, the organization would maintain a zero-tolerance position. Disciplinary action would be taken against those involved.
IEDCR is an important government agency. Its responsibilities include monitoring the country’s disease situation, conducting research and issuing alerts. The institute works jointly with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Professor Kazi Ahmed Zaki took over as IEDCR director after the BNP formed the government. The public health expert recently conducted research on the effectiveness of the measles vaccine.
