An eminent medical scientist and physician of Bangladesh, Major General Mahmudur Rahman Choudhury was born on June 1, 1928 in Sylhet. He had a brilliant academic and professional career. He passed Matric in 1944 in first division with letters and stood first in ISc among Muslims of Assam under Kolkata University and received the full scholarship for studying in Calcutta Medical College. He received scholarship from the then Pakistan government and obtained D. Bact. with highest distinction from the University of London.
He was commissioned in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps in 1952. For his professional excellence as a junior major, he received a letter of commendation from the Commander in Chief (C-in-C) of Pakistan Army and was also honoured with the civil award Tamgha-e-Quaide Azam (TQA). Dr. M.R. Choudhury was posted at Islamabad as the Executive Director of National Health Laboratories (now NIH) in 1970.
He was the first medical specialist to be promoted to Major General for his extraordinary contribution to Bangladesh Army as well to the nation. He was also the first to receive extension of service in two terms in the Bangladesh army for his meritorious work. General M.R. Choudhury retired in 1992 after 40 years of successful career in the army, a record till unsurpassed by any one. After that, he devoted his time to conducting research and teaching microbiology and laboratory medicine in different institutions.
The highest national award -- Independence Day Award -- was conferred on him in 1977 for his contributions to medical science. The institution he built and served as the founder Commandant, the AFIP&T, also received the same award as a centre of excellence in 1987. He had the distinction of being awarded MRCPath without examination, and subsequently FRCPath.
He was honoured by the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences with the highest scientific award in Biological Sciences in 1995. In 1999, he was honoured with the Ibn Sina Award. He was posthumously honoured with awards by the Society of Medical Microbiologists in 2002 and by the Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists in 2006.
He was also awarded fellowships by the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS), the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh (FRCP), the International Biographical Association, Cambridge (FIBA), American Biographical Institute, (FABI), the American College of Physicians (FACP), and Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (FAS).
Emeritus Professor M.R. Choudhury was one of the outstanding microbiologists of his generation. He organised the Bangladesh Society for Microbiologists in 1976 and was its founder president. Under his able leadership, BSM succeeded in creating awareness about the importance of Microbiology in Bangladesh. As a result, the University of Dhaka created a full-fledged Department of Microbiology. He was also the key instrumental in the internationalization process of ICDDR,B and also served as a member of Board of Trustees till his departure from this world.
M.R. Choudhury published more than 100 research papers in various professional journals. Modern Medical Microbiology (1980) was his most well-known work.
He was instrumental in establishing the National AIDS Committee in Bangladesh as early as 1985. General Choudhury also led the national policy formulation on HIV/AIDS, and was Chairman of the Bangladesh National AIDS Committee during 1989-92. He then became the Chairman of the Technical Committee of National AIDS Committee, which responsibility he discharged till the last moment of his life.
An analysis of the health sector of Bangladesh, which he conducted in 1991 and wrote along with Dr. Zafarullah Choudhury (Gonosasthya Kendra) and Dr. Yunus (Grameen Bank), was never published because of political reasons. However, it was highly appreciated by WHO.
Dr. Rita R. Colwell, Director, National Science Foundation, Washington D.C., USA, and Professor of Microbiology, University of Maryland said: "Major General Choudhury was truly a fine scholar and an exceptional gentleman. He was both gentle in spirit and kind to all, without exception. Major General Choudhury made this world a better place through his contributions to science, society, and the spiritual well being of humankind. He will truly be missed, but the memory of his good deeds will linger to inspire us."
WHO, mentioned in their obituary message: "The AIDS and human rights community in Bangladesh has lost its founder and a great leader. The general was a great soldier in this battle and fought until the very end, as a soldier should do."
The World Bank authorities paid rich tribute in the following words: "With his untimely death Bangladesh has lost a visionary leader, who had the right combination of scholarship, substance, integrity, team spirit and passion for doing something for the people. Personally, he was a great conversationalist endowed with keen sense of humour."
He has set an extraordinary example as an administrator, a scientist, and an educationist.
The writer is Director, WHO Office in Lyon for National Epidemic Preparedness and Response (LYO).
