Eminent nephrologist Professor Dr Harun-Ur- Rashid has been adorned with International Society of Nephrology (ISN) Pioneer Award-2017 for his outstanding contribution to prevent kidney diseases in the country.
Former president of ISN John Feehally today handed over the award to Dr Harun-Ur-Rashid at a function held at the Bangladesh Kidney Foundation in city's Mirpur area.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor attended the function as the chief guest while Director General of Health Services Professor Dr Abul Kalam Azad and Social Welfare Affairs Secretary M Zillar Rahman, President of Bangladesh Renal Association (BRA) Professor Muhammad Rafiqul Alam, also spoke, among others.
While receiving the awards, Dr Harun said, "I have been working on Kidney related disease since 1981. I hope I would be able to play a vital role in the treatment of kidney diseases. And this award would inspire me on my way."
The ISN, the leading organisation of nephrologists of 152 countries, conferred the award every year for playing a pioneering role in preventing kidney diseases and treatment in the developing countries.
Dr Harun, the president of Society of Organ Transplantation (SOT) Bangladesh, founded the international standard Bangladesh Kidney Foundation Hospital and Research Institute at Mirpur.
He was ex-chairman of the Nephrology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and former president of Bangladesh Renal Association.
While addressing the function, the cultural minister Noor called for raising awareness among people to prevent the disease across the country.
"Awareness is the key to prevent the disease," he said.
Lack of awareness, food habits and lifestyles along with using of formalin, artificial colours, carbide and harmful pesticides were the main causes of kidney diseases and some other severe diseases, said Dr Azad.
He said diabetics, high blood pressure patients, obese people and those who smoke, don't do any physical work and take medicine without doctor's prescription become more victims of kidney diseases.
Source: BSS