Breathing Better: BMU Marks World Lung Day 2025

The Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) observed World Lung Day 2025 with a colorful rally and a scientific seminar on Monday, September 29. The program was jointly organized by BMU’s Department of Respiratory Medicine and the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh.

The day-long program began at 8:30 a.m. with a vibrant awareness rally that started from BMU’s Cabin Block, circled the entire campus, and concluded at the Super Specialized Hospital. The scientific seminar commenced at 10:00 a.m. at the auditorium of the same hospital.

Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) of BMU, attended the seminar as the chief guest.

Special guests included BMU Treasurer Professor Dr. Nahreen Akhter; President of the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh and Secretary General of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), Associate Professor Dr. Zahirul Islam Shakil; Dean of BMU’s Faculty of Medicine Professor Dr. Shamim Ahmed; Director of the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH) Professor Dr. Md. Delwar Hossain; Brigadier General Abu Noman Mohammad Mosleh Uddin, Director (Hospital); BMU Proctor Associate Professor Dr. Sheikh Farhad; BMU Director (Planning and Development) Associate Professor Dr. Erfanul Haque Siddiqui; and Assistant Proctor Associate Professor Dr. Md. Adnan Hasan Masud, among others.

The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Shamim Ahmed, Chairman of BMU’s Department of Respiratory Medicine. The program was conducted by Phase-B Resident of the same department, Tajkia Tasnim Ahmed, while the recitation from the Holy Qur’an was delivered by Phase-B Resident Dr. Kabirul Ahmed.

A welcome speech was given by Assistant Professor Dr. Sampriti Islam of the Department of Respiratory Medicine. The overall coordination of the program was supervised by Phase-B Resident Dr. Mijanur Rahman Bhuiyan.

The scientific seminar also featured a distinguished panel of experts: Professor Dr. Ferdous-Ur Rahman of BMU’s Department of Internal Medicine; Vice President of the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh and Head of Thoracic Surgery at NIDCH, Professor Dr. Anwarul Anam Kibria; and Associate Professor Dr. Rajashish Chakraborty of BMU’s Department of Respiratory Medicine.

In his keynote remarks, Chief Guest Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad stated:

“In our country, new updated drugs for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension can now be used. However, before administering the new drugs, we must first know the dosage required. The advantages and disadvantages of modern treatment for pulmonary hypertension, its cost, and its applicability within our socioeconomic system must also be discussed.”

Addressing the event, Associate Professor Dr. Md. Zahirul Islam Shakil said:

“Four out of the five leading causes of death globally are respiratory-related. In addition, the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh is working to formulate new guidelines for physicians on tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, and COPD.”

Medical Officer Dr. Manal Mizanur Rahman, in his paper titled Department of Respiratory Medicine – Highlights and Horizons, noted:

“Thirty percent of the world’s population is affected by respiratory diseases, and COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Over the past nine years, the world has seen only 31 days free from air pollution.”

He added that BMU’s Department of Respiratory Medicine has introduced several specialized clinics. Every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a Sleep and Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic is held in Room 1512 of Block-D. On Mondays, the same room and time host the Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (DPLD) Clinic, while Wednesdays are dedicated to the Difficult Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinic. The department also continues to accept referrals on an urgent basis. Up to September this year, referrals included 27% surgery, 21.3% cardiology, 19.4% nephrology, 16.6% general emergency, 7.1% ICU, 5.2% internal medicine, 1.9% hepatology, and 1.4% others.

Phase-B Residents Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman and Dr. Mehnaz Aziz Homa presented their paper Breathing into the Future: Latest Advances in Respiratory Medicine, which discussed modern treatments for pulmonary hypertension, DPLD, tuberculosis, asthma, and sarcoidosis.