Dr Zahed urges doctors to engage more in medical filming

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting, Policy and Strategy, and Culture Dr Zahed Ur Rahman spoke on Wednesday at a workshop as the chief guest in the conference room of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Photo: PID

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting, Policy and Strategy, and Culture Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Wednesday called for increasing the own involvement and interest of doctors in filmmaking on medical issues to ensure successful follow-up and better documentation of various challenges and complex treatment procedures.

“It is comparatively easier to teach the basics of filmmaking to a physician than to teach medical science to a filmmaker. This can help produce realistic documentary films,” he said.

The adviser made the remarks while addressing a workshop as the chief guest in the conference room of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.

Theworkshop, titled ‘Special Category Film Production, Exhibition and Enhancement of Professionalism in the Workplace: Problems and Prospects’,’ was jointly organised by the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Bangladesh Film and Television Institute.

Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said, “On Geographic or Discovery channels, we often see follow-ups of various complex diseases and precise treatment procedures presented beautifully in documentary form." There is ample scope for such work in our country as well.”

He added, “If physicians can master the basic ideas of filmmaking, many quality documentaries can be produced based on their experiences, which can play a significant role in raising public awareness.”

The adviser said, “In emergency situations, the initial opportunity to save a life often lies more with ordinary people than with physicians. Even in developed countries, doctors cannot be reached instantly. Therefore, we need to spread these life-saving training programmes among the general public.

He continued, “We can undertake a coordinated initiative involving educational institutions and the Health Ministry in this regard.”

He also said that alongside his involvement in various important government policymaking and budget-related activities, he welcomed such people-orientated and awareness-building initiatives.

He assured us that the ministry would continue to provide necessary support for this creative initiative of the physicians.

Chaired by Director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital Professor Dr Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, the workshop featured a keynote presentation by Lecturer of the Mass Communication Department of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Al Amin Rakib.

Filmmaker and Director Dr. Bulbul Biswas and Head of the Media and Communication Department of IUB, Imran Ferdous, also spoke at the workshop as invited discussants.