FIGO Awards in Recognition of Women Obstetricians/ Gynaecologists was received by Prof. AB Bhuiyan; Prof. Rowshan Ara Begum; Prof. Kohinur Begum; Prof. Latifa Shamsuddin; National Prof. Shahla Khatun; Prof. Syeda Firoza; Prof. Ashrafunnessa; Prof. Anowara Begum.
National Prof. Shahla Khatun
Prof. Shah la Khatun- the distinguished gynecologist and obstetrician – was inducted as a National Professor by the government of Bangladesh in 2011. The childhood aim of Prof. Khatun was to be a doctor and a medical teacher with highest qualifications and training to serve the nation and specially mothers and children in Bangladesh. She was a fulltime teacher, guide, professor, clinician, specialist consultant and trainer of under graduate, post graduate students of all categories in Bangladesh namely MBBS, DGO, MCPS, FCPS, MS, DMCHFP and Ph.D. For many years, Prof. Khatun also was a regular examiner of under graduate, post graduate course of BSMMU, Dhaka University, Sylhet Shajalal University, Chittagong University and many medical colleges. She is the founder member and 1st life member and past president of Obstetric and Gynaecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB). Through her leadership, influence and good judgment, Prof. Khatun played a big role in completing the construction of the OGSB Hospital and Institute of Reproductive and Child Health (IRCH). The institute is now fully functioning, modern nonprofit hospital with 24 hours services including outdoor, special outdoor, indoor, OT, NICU, laboratory facilities, guest house, training facilities, seminar and class rooms. Apart from mainstream professional career, she was actively involved in various social services and with several charity organizations.
From 1970, Prof. Khatun is working hand in hand with UNICEF,
Bangladesh Diabetic Association, BMS, OGSB, BMA, Bangladesh
Family Planning Association, and Lioness Club of Dhaka Green,
GLMC, and numerous national and global organization and
rendering free medical services, consultation and surgery in
various parts of Bangladesh.
She served as personal Honorary Physician of present Hon’ ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Besides, Prof. Khatun was a nonofficial, volunteer visitor of Dhaka Central Jail (the biggest Jail in Bangladesh) where she worked to improve living conditions, and health status of prisoners, mainly young, underage girls and women. In connection of that Jail visit, she established a residential “Safe Home for Girls” at Gazipur outside Dhaka City for orphans and deprived children with help and assistance from other philanthropic persons. Besides normal education from nursery to 12 grades they are also given vocational training, income generating training and teaching. All are free of cost. Prof. Khatun also received Mother Teresa award in 2004 and “Rotnogorva mother (Mother of Talents)”and many other medals and certificates recognizing her contribution to medical profession, improvement of women’s and children health and social work.
A H M Touhidul Anowar Chowdhury
A H M Touhidul Anowar Chowdhury, popularly referred to as TA Chowdhury, is a Bangladeshi gynecologist and obstetrician. He was awarded the Independence Day Award (SHADHINATA PADAK) – highest Civil Award of Bangladesh- in 2017.
Holistically speaking, Prof. Chowdhury is a respected doctor, scholar and teacher. Besides being a pioneer in establishing and expanding the coverage of postgraduate education in the nation, he was also the Founding Secretary General and President of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) for several years. Currently, he holds the position of Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at BIRDEM and is just as active in both his academic and clinical responsibilities as he was in the past. He has numerous scientific publications to his name and is enlisted on the editorial boards of numerous national and international journals. He has been the Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Bangladesh Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology since its inception.
He was awarded the ATCO Gold medal for finishing First in the MBBS Examination of the Dhaka University, as well as the ‘Gorkha Dakshin Bahu Gold Medal’ -,one of the highest Civil Awards of Nepal, by the King of Nepal for his contribution to producing postgraduate trained medical manpower for Nepal Other accolades on his trophy wall would include the Rotary Gold Medal for social services and his contribution towards health care in Bangladesh, the Lifetime Achievement Medal by the Obstetrical & Gynecological Society of Bangladesh, and the Presidential Medal of the South Asian Federation of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Prof. Sayba Akhter
Sayeba Akhter is a Bangladeshi doctor who has devoted her professional life to eradicating obstetric fistula. She was born in 1953. Motivated by the noble goal to assist young mothers by the dedication of the professionals she encountered while pursuing her medical degree, Dr. Akhter graduated from Chittagong Medical College. In addition to being an executive member of the International Society of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons, she previously held the position of president of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Society of Bangladesh. It is noteworthy to point out that obstetric fistula is quite prevalent in Bangladesh because of the number of child brides who are not physically as well as mentally equipped to handle the pangs of pregnancy. Alongside being biologically unprepared, young women suffer from social stigma when asking for help, and there is a shortage of doctors trained to handle the condition. In 2005 Dr. Akhter launched a national center at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where she trained doctors to repair fistula. Ekushey Padak, in 2020.
Beside all these, a number of young members of OGSB also received Shan S Ratnam Young Gynaecologist Award; Young Scientist Award; AOFOG-KSGO Young Doctor Award; AOFOG Community Fellowship Program.
