They said the nation needs quality surgeons and specialist physicians and that is why the local doctors should get the opportunity to expose themselves to a medical education of international standard.

They pointed out that diseases of the human being are similar and the diagnosis process is the same all over the world whether the patient is in the North America or in South Asia.

They also said that patients often opt to go abroad for treatment as they cannot rely on the diagnosis by the local doctors due to lack of quality clinical care.

The Daily Star in collaboration with the Post Graduate Doctors' Association (PGDA) organised the roundtable on 'Introducing higher medical degrees (MRCP/MRCS/MRCOG & MFDS) and Professional Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) examination centre under the Royal College of the UK' at the British Council auditorium in the city.

The speakers said doctors in the neighbouring countries have focussed on enhancing quality of patient care, which is possible only through improving quality of medical education. Those countries are also sending quality doctors to other countries lacking medical care of international standard.

"The syllabus of medical education is universal as there is hardly any difference in the pattern of the diseases and diagnosis globally," said Prof MA Zaman, principal of Bangladesh Medical College (BMC).

In the era of globalisation, medical education should be open to all, he said, adding that if any doctor fails to offer quality care, patients would opt to seek treatment elsewhere.

Prof Md Suhrab Ali, dean, School of Health Sciences, State University of Bangladesh, said the young doctors should get the opportunity to expand and update their knowledge through obtaining foreign higher degrees.

"In the last 34 years, the country have produced enough specialist doctors. But technology is evolving almost everyday. So, we have no right to confine local doctors to home. Instead, we should support the opening of examination centres under the Royal College," said Prof Ali, also the vice-president of the PGDA.

Prof Shahla Khatun, a noted gynaecologist and obstetrician, said, "There is no justification in putting barriers to obtaining foreign degrees. In fact, those who graduated from the Royal College got better jobs in the global market. If our young doctors are able to obtain foreign degrees from home, we should feel proud."

She also dismissed rumours that the talents who obtain foreign degrees do not return home to serve the nation.

''Many private hospitals are now recruiting doctors and paying them as per international standard. I am sure they (local talents) too would get equal opportunities," she added.

Md Monirul Huq Choudhury MP said, "I see no point why examination centres should not be set up immediately. If there are any more conditions to be fulfilled, we are ready to do that, but we should not delay any longer over the issue."

He also suggested seeking help from the high-ups in the government to realise the demands of the PGDA.

Dewan Sultan Ahmed, vice-president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said there are as many as 26 public and private medical colleges in the country and a sizeable number of young doctors are graduating every year.

If these doctors get opportunity for higher education of international standard, they could compete in the international market, he added.

Dr Luthfor Rahman, chief cardiac surgeon of Lab Aid Cardiac Hospital, said, "I have been very lucky to be able to work under a number of well-known foreign surgeons at home. Those who are not fortunate enough like myself should be given equal opportunities to obtain foreign training courses under foreign fellowship programmes."

Dr Rakibul Islam Litu, secretary general of PGDA, presented a keynote paper at the roundtable moderated by Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, a section of senior doctors representing the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) have been opposing the idea of opening such a centre. They defended their stance, saying that once the examination centre is allowed to operate in the country, the importance of and the respect for the BCPS would gradually diminish.

The BCPS senior doctors feel that such a centre should not be opened in order to protect the integrity of the BCPS and the national interest since the medical education system in Bangladesh is still in its budding stage.