The international conference on accreditation for quality medical education began at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on Sunday.
Organised by the Bangladesh Private Medical College Association, 450 figures from the medical education sector, both from Bangladesh and seven other countries, are participating in the event, said a press release.
The conference was inaugurated with Professor Ricardo Le贸n-B贸rquez as chief guest, under the presidency of MA Mubin Khan, president of the BPMCA.
Professor Dr Md Humayun Kabir Talukder, president of the Association for Medical Education, Bangladesh, stressed the importance of aligning each medical college with the WFME guidelines to elevate the standards of medical education in the country.
He also emphasised the government鈥檚 role, alongside the newly-formed accreditation council, in ensuring quality assurance.
In his keynote address, Professor Ricardo urged nations to follow the standards set by the WFME to guarantee the accreditation of basic medical education, aiming to enhance the quality of medical education globally.
MA Mubin Khan underscored the association鈥檚 commitment to promoting world-class medical education and strengthening the capacities of its member institutions.
He also noted that around 50,000 outpatients receive treatment daily in the 68 private medical colleges and hospitals under the BPMCA, with approximately 12,000 inpatients availing indoor services.
He also highlighted that over 1,00,000 healthcare workers are employed in Bangladesh鈥檚 private healthcare sector.
The BPMCA general secretary, Professor Dr Moazzem Hossain, extended his gratitude to the distinguished guests.
The two-day conference will feature multiple sessions, with participation from notable speakers, including Dr Bardhan Jung Rana, representative from the WHO Bangladesh; Professor Titi Sabitri, president of the South-East Asia Regional Council for Medical Associations from Indonesia; Professor Somchai Yongsiri from the Medical Education Accreditation Institute of Thailand; Professor Avinash Supe from India鈥檚 GI Surgery and Medical Education department; Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake from the University of Colombo; and Dr. Md. Nasir Uddin from the University of South Florida, USA, who will present on accreditation matters.
The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Ricardo Le贸n-B贸rquez, president of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).