Doctors and guests at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) called for wider access to rehabilitation services and more specialist training, saying these are needed to help people regain independence and return to daily life after illness or injury.

The Bangladesh Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and BMU’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation jointly marked National Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Day on Saturday (14 November, 2026), according to the press release. The programme included a campus rally, a scientific seminar, a documentary screening, leaflet distribution and visits to stalls showcasing rehabilitation services.

The seminar, held at BMU’s Super Specialised Hospital, focused on the theme “Developing Subspecialties, Developing PMR”. Speakers called for expanding neurological, robotic, cardiopulmonary, sports and orthopaedic rehabilitation, as well as care for children, older people and patients with cancer or lymphoedema. They also highlighted speech and swallowing therapy and treatment for musculoskeletal conditions and pain.

Speaking as chief guest, Mirza Abbas Uddin Ahmed MP, an adviser to the prime minister and a BNP standing committee member, said he was receiving robot-assisted physiotherapy after a recent stroke. He called for wider coverage of rehabilitation services in newspapers and on television so patients and families would know what help was available, and urged that doctors be able to work without political interference.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque, who attended as a special guest, spoke about his own recovery after several operations. The former national footballer said rehabilitation had helped him return to daily life and underlined its role in recovery after surgery.

BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor FM Siddiqi, the programme’s chief patron, said people recovering from strokes or accidents could experience psychological distress. He called for mental health support alongside physical rehabilitation and urged the university to train more staff and expand its services.

Professor MA Shakoor, chair of BMU’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, said specialist training, modern technology, research and international collaboration could improve rehabilitation care in Bangladesh. Professor Md Taslim Uddin, executive president of the Bangladesh Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, said the programme aimed to raise awareness of rehabilitation services and expand opportunities for research and advanced training.

Associate Professor MAK Azad said rehabilitation can help people manage pain, regain function and take part in work and community life. He said people may need these services after road crashes, strokes and spinal cord injuries, or because of cancer, neurological conditions or age-related loss of mobility.

BMU Proctor Professor Sheikh Farhad inaugurated the rally, which started at Bat Tala and ended at Block C. He highlighted rehabilitation after orthopaedic and neurosurgical procedures.

Taslim Uddin and Shakoor chaired the seminar, which Azad moderated. Professor MM Zaman and Azad delivered the keynote presentations. Senior university officials, Doctors Association of Bangladesh representatives, physicians, academics and professional leaders attended.