Speaking as keynote speaker at the discussion, he said, "We will keep in mind that both humanism and professionalism are most important for us (doctors)."

Prof Tahir said before sending a patient for diagnostic tests, a doctor must think whether those are really necessary or not.

For the sake of ethical values, doctors should avoid gifts from pharmaceutical companies and financial incentives from diagnostic centres, he added.

Besides, doctors have to uphold their professional responsibilities that include honesty, integrity and confidentiality, Prof Tahir said.

About the patients' rights and responsibilities, he said they have to exercise their medical rights by accepting the informed consequences of a treatment and refraining from practices injurious to health such as drinking or smoking.

The discussion on 'Ethical practices: Patients' rights and responsibilities,' was organised by Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) on the occasion of its 18th medical conference at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.

BMA Secretary General Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain moderated the discussion while BMA President Dr M A Hadi presided.

Taking part in the discussion, Justice Abdur Rouf said, "Ethical practices should be developed within us. Their inclusion in the syllabus of schools and colleges will not bring any change. Instead, some revolutionary steps are necessary which will ensure that none of us tell lie, as lying is the mother of sin."

Abu Muhammad Maniruzzaman Khan, secretary to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said there is allegation that the doctors often misbehave with poor people at grassroots level.

The medical profession is not like other profession. So the doctors have to have some medical ethics to improve their mindset, he said.

Prof Abu Ahmed Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council, said the doctors must abide by law and medical ethics. About medical tests they have to tell the truth to the patients, it is the right of patients to know about their illness and the treatment required, he added.

Prof M A Majed, former president of BMA, said the ethical practices depend not only on doctors but also on patients.

It cannot be unilateral, he added.

"Medical ethics is not legislation. It's a convention. So we must uphold it in our profession," Dr Zahid said.

Dr Khaled Hossain, acting representative of WHO in Bangladesh, also spoke on the occasion.