Speaking at the inaugural function as chief guest he said, "We have lots of opportunities to contribute to science and technology since the world is now open. We can create our own place by applying the technology to meet our own demand."

"While biotechnology is advancing rapidly, we can prove our worth in this field by providing modern medical treatment facilities to our patients," he added.

Prof Yunus thanked the National Heart Foundation to make such a platform through their good organisation to serve the people of the country.

The inaugural session was also addressed by President of the National Heart Foundation Justice Chowdhury A T M Masud and Secretary General National Prof Brig (Retd) Abdul Malik, Rotary District Governor Rtn Syed Alamgir Haider and Muhammad Ali Bukhari, the initiator of the project now living in Canada.

Pacemaker is an electronic device to stimulate and regulate the heartbeat.

Heart disease is on the rise in our country and many deaths are caused by this disease.

Modern treatment of cardiac diseases is so expensive that the poor cannot afford it.

Although the price of cardiac pacemakers has been reduced, it is yet beyond the affordability of many poor patients of our country.

The Pacemaker Bank will extend the horizon of service of the Rotary Clubs to these poor people.

The Heartbeat International (HBI), a US-based free cardiac pacemaker consortium, has recently approved this Pacemaker Bank which will receive 50 or more new cardiac pacemakers and related cardiac devices annually from the HBI for implantation among the poor heart patients through direct involvement of cardiologists of the National Heart Foundation.

Heartbeat International is a consortium of physicians, medical manufacturers, hospitals and Rotary Clubs working together to make cardiac pacemakers 4and healthcare education available to people in 28 countries through its 48 Pacemaker Banks.

Rotary Pacemaker Bank is a joint collaboration of Rotary Clubs of Dhaka, Dhaka Buriganga, Dhaka Cosmopolitan, Dhaka Midcity and Dilkusha with the assistance of the National Heart Foundation.

A board of 11 members has been formed to run the Rotary Pacemaker Bank in Dhaka comprising PP Rtn Syed Alamgir Haider and National Professor Brig (Retd) Dr Abdul Malik as chairman and medical director respectively.