Prof Dr M Mustafizur Rahman

(1935-2014)

Professor Rahman was the most renowned and one of the best Ophthalmologists the country has been blessed with. He served the nation with excellence in eye care for over half a century. He was able to earn legendary reputation during his life time for his extraordinary clinical expertise and surgery skills. He was one of the founders of Bangladesh Glaucoma Society and founder of Bangladesh Eye Care Society. He established couple of charity hospitals e.g. Glaucoma Research and Eye Hospital – at Mirpur, Dhaka which was later named after him after his demise as Mustafiz Glaucoma Research and Eye Hospital and Mustafiz Charitable Eye Hospital in his village in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. He was pioneer in Glaucoma research in Bangladesh and conducted the first and only research on Glaucoma in Bangladesh. He published more than 25 articles on Ophthalmology in National & International journals. He Attended and Chaired many National & International Seminars and Conferences on Ophthalmology.

He went to UK in 1962 on state scholarship and obtained two FRCS degrees – one from Edinburgh & one from Ireland, earned a DO from London. Prior to that, he got FCPS and MBBS from Bangladesh. He returned to serve his motherland in 1969 and dedicated his entire life for the service of poor patients. He was engaged in social works and was the unified District Governor of Lions. He received the country’s highest award “Shadhinota Dibosh Puroshkar” and 19 other national and international awards/Gold Medals for his service and excellence in Ophthalmology.

He served as the Professor of Ophthalmology, Dhaka Medical College, Registrar of Ophthalmology in England, Clinical Fellow at Moorefield Eye Hospital, University of London, Civil Surgeon of Barisal District, Director cum Chief Consultant – Islamia Eye Hospital, and Director cum Chief Consultant – Glaucoma Research and Eye Hospital, Honorary Ophthalmic Consultant, Bangladesh Armed Force with the Rank of full Colonel.

He was the President and Advisor of the OSB & Bangladesh UVEA Society, Vice President, Bangladesh Faculty of Ophthalmology, Founder Executive Director – Dhaka Medical College Eye Bank, Vice President and Chairman – Scientific Committee, Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Conference, Dhaka, Member – Bangladesh National Council for the Blind, Chairman – Lions Club International Foundation, Vice Chairman – Bangladesh National Society for the Blind, Editor in Chief – Transaction OSB,  International Member – American Academy of Ophthalmology, Member – International Council of Ophthalmology, Member – Surgical Eye Expedition (USA), Member – International Advisory Board, Project of ORBIS International who was key person behind bringing the ORBIS in Bangladesh.