Begum, Syeda Firoza

Begum, Syeda Firoza (1929-2000) obstetrician and gynecologist, social worker and philanthropist. She was born in 1929 in Chandina of Comilla district. She was conferred with MBBS degree in 1953 from Dhaka Medical College (DMC) and after his surgical residency in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) went to United Kingdom (UK) where she completed MRCOG in 1964.

Syeda Firoza Begum

Syeda Firoza Begum returned home to join DMC as an Associate Professor of obstetrics and Gynecology, where she was promoted as Professor in 1967 and continued in that post till 1986 when she resigned government service to run the election for Membership of Parliament (MP).

She was the President of Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (1978-1985), President of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) for two terms, Chairman of Dhaka Shishu Hospital and Chairman of the Uttara Bank Limited.

She was also the President of the Regional Medical Committee of the South Asian Region of International Planned Parenthood Federation, President of Bangladesh Association for Septic Abortion and Bangladesh Association for Maternal and Neonatal health. She was awarded a medal by the International Maternal and Neonatal Health Organization by ‘Pathfinder Fund’ for her outstanding contribution in the field of maternal, child health and family planning and received the FIGO Medal for her contribution as women physician. She established a girls high school and an orphanage for the girls at her village home in Comilla, supported entirely from her own resources.

She died on 11 August 2000 at her own residence in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. [MKI Quayyum Choudhury]