Voices of the Experts in Our Midst | Supporting Medical Specialisation in Bangladesh – Dr Mesbah Rahman

Dr. Mesbah Rahman is a Gastroenterologist practicing in Swansea. Born and trained in Bangladesh, Mesbah came to the UK in 1990 and has since worked in both England and Wales. 

Dr. Mesbah Rahman has played a pivotal role in reshaping medical education and specialisation in Bangladesh. Through his annual missions, he has facilitated a dynamic exchange of knowledge, benefitting both the medical community in Bangladesh and the UK. Through the partnership, students from Bangladesh have had a chance to come to the UK and train in Swansea and Birmingham, and UK colleagues have been given the opportunity to contribute to strengthening education in Bangladesh.  

Mesbah’s collaborative approach has led to the enhancement of the academic curriculum for postgraduate students in gastroenterology. The efforts have been particularly impactful in standardising training and education through the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons.  

In addition to postgraduate advancements, Mesbah’s contributions extend to modernising the training curriculum for future physicians in Bangladesh. The partnership between Dhaka Medical College and Swansea University Medical School culminated in a significant memorandum of understanding signed by the Dean of Swansea University in 2019, solidifying the commitment to medical education, training, and research.  

Recently, agreement has been reached to facilitate knowledge exchange between radiologists in the UK and their counterparts in Bangladesh. This initiative aims to impart advanced interventional training techniques with the overarching goal of enhancing the quality of radiological services in Bangladesh.  

Mesbah astutely acknowledges that this collaborative endeavour transcends the interests of both the UK and Bangladesh, emphasising its bi-directional nature. “It is a two-way process” he notes, placing particular emphasis on the invaluable lessons gained in navigating resource-constrained environments; a critical asset benefitting UK colleagues during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Discover more stories like Mesbah’s in our Voices of the Experts in Our Midst report 

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