Former Health Minister Zahid Malek. Photo: Collected
Member of Parliament of Manikganj-3 (Manikganj Sadar and Saturia) and former Health Minister Zahid Malek has been included in the list published by the famous American newspaper Time magazine as '100 influential people who have contributed to the health sector'. The list was released last Thursday.
The report says about Zahid Malek, 'As a supporter of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Zahid Malek's five years as Minister of Health and Family Welfare were not without controversy. He rejected allegations of corruption and faced intense criticism for his initial pandemic response.
But then he carried out an effective vaccination program. As a result, the per capita death toll in the densely populated South Asian nation was less than half that of neighbouring India. Despite stepping down in January, Malek continues to be praised for the upliftment of his 17.5 crore countrymen.
Zahid Malek, honoured by the WHO for drastically reducing infant mortality, led efforts to reduce the lead content of turmeric in Bangladesh. This results in stunted cognitive development in children and causes thousands of deaths each year. He is now serving as a Member of Parliament.
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