Jamaat candidate Dr. Khaliduzzaman says using an unauthorized degree

The Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) has issued a show cause notice to Dr. SM Khaliduzzaman, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam-nominated parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-17 constituency and chairman of Bangladesh Fertility Hospital, for allegedly providing medical services using an unauthorized degree.

The notice, signed by BMDC Acting Registrar Dr. Md. Liaquat Hossain on Monday (January 19), asked him to provide a written explanation within 15 working days. The notice stated that Dr. Khaliduzzaman had used the degree ‘MSc in Clinical Embryology and Pre-Implantation Genetics (India)’ in his brochure, which is not recognized by BMDC.

The BMDC said that using an unauthorized degree is tantamount to cheating the patient and is against the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council Act. The offence carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison or a fine of one lakh taka, or both. The complainant, Abdul Quader, informed the council of the matter by attaching a copy of the pamphlet.

BMDC Registrar Dr. Md. Liaquat Hossain said that after verifying the complaint, it was found that Dr. Khaliduzzaman does not have any additional degree registered with BMDC apart from his MBBS degree. That is why he has been summoned and a decision will be taken as per the law after receiving his statement.

Claiming that the complaint was politically motivated, Dr. SM Khaliduzzaman said that the subject of clinical embryology has not yet been introduced in Bangladesh and it is available in a few foreign countries. He claimed that the degree was not used in any of his official documents; it was mentioned in a promotional video, which was a mistake of the advertising agency.