Mr. Mafizuddin Ahmed, Former Head, Clinical Pathology, Laboratory Sciences Division, years of service from 12/1963- 12/1989

After retirement from my previous Army Service, I visited the Pak-SEATO Cholera Research Lab in 1963. The Health Ministry of the East Pakistan Government through the director, Mr. MM Rahman, requested me. I met with Mr. Bashir, Administrative Officer.  I explained my experience of working Laboratories:  Parasitology, Hematology, Serology, Histopathology, and hospital administration.  He introduced me to the Director Dr. Benenson and Dr. Gordon.  They sat together to consult about me.  They told me that in the near future they were going to open a hospital with a laboratory and they requested me to join their organization to assist them.

After joining in the CRL in 1963, they gave me a tour of all the departments.  I observed the activities for a few days and then was handed over to the chief physician, Dr. WB Greenough.  He gave me the responsibility of organizing the Hospital and Clinical Pathology.  I started my work around the clock with

Dr. Greenough.  I was able to turn the lab into a functioning unit, opening in 1964.  I got opportunity to teach our first paramedical students (laboratory technicians).    

Day by day and year by year, gradually the institution improved and turned into ICDDR,B.  Now it has become a great, famous research centre.  I gave exemplary and active service as a senior Research Officer, Teacher, Clinical Pathology Laboratory Consultant in Dhaka, Matlab, and Dammam (Saudi Arabia) until retirement.  

I was feeling from the beginning of service that we have no praying place (mosque) in our institute.  I put this matter to the Director Dr W B Greenough with Mr. M R Bashir and other employees. Now we have a beautiful mosque.

I am very much happy to fulfill these above-mentioned matters before my retirement. I dont know if I can meet with you (alumni) next year but I am anxious for your blessing to Almighty Allah.  Now I am getting preparation for my next world.