Research must serve policymaking, not just promotion: State Minister Muhit at Dhaka Medical
State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhit has called for research to be used in health-sector policymaking and in improving the quality of services, rather than being considered only a means of earning degrees or promotion.
He made the remarks on Monday, 26 October, as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a 22-week training course on research methodology at Dhaka Medical College. The course was organised with the cooperation of the Society of Medicine and the Medicine and Sub-specialty Department of Dhaka Medical College.
He said: "The real success of research comes when its results play a role in improving the quality of life of ordinary people and bring policy change at the national level."
The state minister said: "Doctors have to serve a huge number of patients every day. This creates immense pressure on them. But even amid this busyness, if proper research can be conducted on the basis of clinical experience, it can bring important change in the health sector."
Citing his own long research life, M A Muhit said: "Through community-based research on blindness eradication and on children affected by cerebral palsy, it has been possible to bring policy change at the national level. As a result of these initiatives, positive changes have come in the lives of thousands of children."
Outlining the standard of research, he said: "Good research does not happen just by using a large sample or many variables. It is important to determine what the main question of the research is and how that question can be solved. If research-based evidence can be worked on in coordination with policymakers and the government, it is possible to increase budget allocation in the health sector as well as improve service quality."
Calling on doctors to engage more in research, the state minister said: "The present government is giving importance to restructuring primary health care and improving public health. To achieve this goal, quality research consistent with the country's reality and needs is required on important subjects such as diabetes, high blood pressure, viral hepatitis and antimicrobial resistance."
The ceremony was chaired by Dhaka Medical College Principal Dr Mazharul Shahin. Professor Dr Mohammad Monir-uz-Zaman, principal of Sir Salimullah Medical College and convener of the Society of Medicine, and Brigadier General A K M Farhad Hossain also spoke.
