Hasnat Abdullah, the Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region, has strongly criticized the Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum. He claimed that she is the biggest example of nepotism under Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
“এই স্বাস্থ্য উপদেষ্টার কোনো প্রয়োজন নেই… যে বেতন তিনি নিচ্ছেন, সেটা সম্পূর্ণ হারাম হবে।”
“There is no need for this health adviser… The salary she takes is completely haram,” he said.
Criticism at Chandpur Rally
Hasnat made these remarks during a rally in Chandpur on July 23, as part of the ‘Desh Goritey July Podojatra’ campaign.
He alleged that Nurjahan Begum, the adviser to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was appointed due to her close personal ties with Dr. Yunus.
“ড. ইউনূসের স্বজনপ্রীতির সবচেয়ে বড় উদাহরণ এই স্বাস্থ্য উপদেষ্টা।”
“The biggest example of Dr. Yunus’s nepotism is this health adviser,” he said.
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“She Understands Nothing About Health or Treatment”
Hasnat went further, accusing the adviser of being completely unfit for the role.
“উনি স্বাস্থ্যব্যবস্থা বোঝেন না, চিকিৎসাও বোঝেন না… ইনস্ট্রুমেন্টাল জ্ঞান নেই।”
“She does not understand the healthcare system, nor does she know anything about treatment… She lacks basic instrumental knowledge,” he claimed.
He added that her only qualification is her previous association with Grameen Bank and her closeness to Dr. Yunus.
“এই স্বাস্থ্য উপদেষ্টাকে নিয়ে আমরা কী করব?”
“What are we supposed to do with such a health adviser?” he questioned.
“She Takes Government Salary but Seeks Treatment Abroad”
Hasnat expressed further frustration by pointing out the adviser’s choice to get medical treatment from Singapore instead of Bangladesh.
“উনি নিজে চিকিৎসা করাতে সিঙ্গাপুর যান… এরপর তিনি আমাদের সঙ্গে আর কথা বলেন না।”
“She goes to Singapore for her own treatment… After I criticized her once, she never spoke to us again,” said Hasnat.
He demanded that she return all government-paid salaries to the national treasury and resign immediately.
Background of Nurjahan Begum
Nurjahan Begum was closely associated with Grameen Bank from the beginning. When Dr. Muhammad Yunus started the project in Jobra village, Chittagong in 1976, she was one of his frontline associates.
She worked as a program officer in different regions including Chittagong, Tangail, Rangpur, and Patuakhali. She also served as the General Manager for Training and International Programs. Additionally, she was the first principal of Grameen Bank’s Central Training Institute.
After Dr. Yunus’s retirement, she became the Acting Managing Director of Grameen Bank in 2011.
“System Has Not Changed After Uprising”
Hasnat also criticized the current government for failing to improve the health or law and order systems in the country.
“আমরা অভ্যুত্থানের পর রাষ্ট্রটিকে নতুনভাবে গড়ে তুলতে চেয়েছিলাম… কিন্তু কিছুই পাল্টায়নি।”
“We wanted to rebuild the nation after the uprising… but sadly, nothing has really changed,” he said.
He ended his speech by urging all anti-fascist political groups to unite and stand against dictatorship.
“দলমত নির্বিশেষে আমাদের ফ্যাসিবাদের বিপক্ষে অবস্থান নিতে হবে।”
“We must unite against fascism regardless of political differences,” he emphasized.
Source: TBS
