Staff Reporter: The International Conference on Accreditation for Quality Medical Education commenced today, 29th September, at the InterContinental Hotel, Dhaka. The two-day conference is organized by the Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA). Approximately 450 esteemed figures from the medical education sector, both from Bangladesh and seven other countries, are participating in the event. The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Ricardo León-Bórquez, President of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).

The conference was inaugurated with Professor Ricardo León-Bórquez as the chief guest, under the presidency of Mr. M. A. Mubin Khan, President of the BPMCA. In his welcome speech, Professor Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir Talukder, President of the Association for Medical Education, Bangladesh, stressed the importance of aligning each medical college with WFME guidelines to elevate the standards of medical education in the country. He also emphasized the government's role, alongside the newly-formed Accreditation Council, in ensuring quality assurance.

In his keynote address, Professor Ricardo urged nations to follow the standards set by WFME to guarantee the accreditation of basic medical education, aiming to enhance the quality of medical education globally.

BPMCA President, Mr. M. A. Mubin Khan, expressed his pride in organizing this international conference on medical education accreditation, underscoring the association's commitment to promoting world-class medical education and strengthening the capacities of its member institutions. He noted that around 50,000 outpatients receive treatment daily in the 68 private medical colleges and hospitals under BPMCA, with approximately 12,000 inpatients availing indoor services. He also highlighted that over 100,000 healthcare workers are employed in Bangladesh's private healthcare sector.

BPMCA's General Secretary, Professor Dr. Md. Moazzem Hossain, extended his gratitude to the distinguished guests.

The two-day conference will feature multiple sessions, with participation from notable speakers, including Dr. Bardhan Jung Rana, representative from WHO Bangladesh; Professor Titi Sabitri, President of the South-East Asia Regional Council for Medical Associations from Indonesia; Professor Somchai Yongsiri from the Medical Education Accreditation Institute of Thailand; Professor Avinash Supe from India’s GI Surgery and Medical Education department; Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake from the University of Colombo; and Dr. Md. Nasir Uddin from the University of South Florida, USA, who will present on accreditation matters. For more information about this conference visit- http://www.ica2024.org/