Public Health Pioneer Dr. A.K. Azad Khan Outlines Path to Disease Prevention and Healthcare Reform
Professor Dr. A.K. Azad Khan, a foundational figure in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector and a recipient of the Independence Award, has dedicated his life to medical research and the advancement of public health. As the president of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, he has spent decades shaping the country's medical infrastructure. In a recent interview on the show "Crown Cement Obhijgotar Alo," hosted by writer and journalist Anisul Hoque, Dr. Azad Khan reflected on his journey—from his humble upbringing in a village in Barishal to his groundbreaking research at Oxford and his leadership of the nation’s largest diabetic care network.
Born in 1941 in the village of Krishnakathi, Dr. Azad Khan attended the local missionary-run St. Alfred’s School in Padrisibpur. Despite the rural setting, the school’s academic environment fostered a commitment to excellence. Following his matriculation in 1958, he moved to Dhaka to pursue higher education, ultimately choosing Dhaka College for its superior faculty and academic rigor. He later enrolled at Dhaka Medical College, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to medicine that would eventually lead him to the University of Oxford.
During his time at Oxford in the 1970s, Dr. Azad Khan developed a specialized focus on gastroenterology, a field that was then in its infancy. His research at the world’s largest center for inflammatory bowel disease led to a significant discovery regarding the treatment of ulcerative colitis. He identified the active molecule within a complex drug, which allowed for the development of more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Notably, he and his team made a conscious decision not to patent their discovery, prioritizing global humanitarian access over personal financial gain.
Reflecting on his leadership at the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dr. Azad Khan credited the legacy of the association's founder, Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim, as a guiding force. He emphasized that the organization’s success lies in its foundation of honesty and its focus on "medico-social work" rather than mere clinical administration. Under his guidance, the association has expanded significantly, establishing medical colleges, nursing institutes, and the Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital, all of which operate on an organic growth model driven by public need.
Addressing the rise of Type 2 diabetes, Dr. Azad Khan identified it as an "epidemic" that is largely preventable through lifestyle modifications. He underscored the importance of physical activity and dietary control, noting that 70 to 80 percent of Type 2 cases can be avoided through disciplined living. In a creative public health initiative, he collaborated with religious leaders and scholars to integrate health education into mosque sermons. This faith-based approach, which was later published in the *Journal of the American Medical Association*, resulted in a 45 percent reduction in new diabetes cases within the study group, demonstrating the potential for community-driven health interventions.
Looking toward the future of Bangladesh’s healthcare, Dr. Azad Khan urged the government to prioritize the decentralization of health services to reduce the burden on Dhaka. He also advocated for structural reforms in medical education, suggesting that teaching positions should remain fixed to their institutions rather than being subject to frequent transfers, thereby allowing departments to grow and mature. Through his life’s work, Dr. Azad Khan continues to champion a holistic approach to medicine, combining rigorous scientific inquiry with a deep-seated commitment to the social welfare of the nation.
