Doctor suspended after ‘assault’ on IEDCR chief

The Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) has suspended the primary membership of its central executive committee's Deputy Secretary for Law Affairs, Dr Zahid Hasan, over the assault on Professor Quazi Ahmed Zaki, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

In a notice issued on Wednesday, the BNP-backed doctors' organisation also sought an explanation from Dr Zahid, asking him to reply to the DAB president and secretary general within 48 hours as to why further organisational action should not be taken against him.

The notice, signed by DAB Secretary General Dr Zahirul Islam Shakil, said his membership had been suspended over allegations of involvement in an incident inside the IEDCR director's office earlier in the day.

Around 11am, Professor Zaki was assaulted inside his office at the institute's headquarters in Mohakhali.
Speaking to the media, Zaki said his office had come under attack and expressed hope that the government would take action, as the incident occurred at a government institution.

Video footage shows Zaki holding a meeting with several people when eight to nine individuals entered the room, pulled him from his chair and assaulted him.

Meanwhile, the Health Services Division of the Health Ministry has formed a three-member committee, headed by an additional secretary, to investigate the incident. An office order issued on Wednesday instructed the committee to submit a comprehensive report within seven working days.

The IEDCR is a key government institution responsible for disease surveillance, research and public health alerts. It also collaborates with international organisations, including the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A public health specialist, Zaki was appointed director after the BNP government came to power. He recently conducted research on the effectiveness of the measles vaccine.

According to sources, Zaki was meeting public health expert Meerjady Sabrina Flora in his office when the incident occurred. Flora previously served as director of the Directorate General of Health Services, the Directorate General of Drug Administration and the IEDCR during the Awami League government's tenure. She became widely known for briefing the media during the Covid-19 pandemic and later served as additional director general of the health directorate.