The Bangladesh Medical Society of Victoria (BMSV) hosted its annual Charity Gala Night, uniting Bangladeshi-origin physicians, community leaders, and supporters from across the state of Victoria, Australia. The evening underscored a defining characteristic of Bangladeshi doctors serving in Australia: an enduring commitment to charity as both a professional value and a cultural duty, according to a press statement.
Since its inception in 2016, BMSV has consistently undertaken health promotion programmes, research collaborations, and community development initiatives designed to support the country its members proudly originate from. This unwavering tradition of giving back is rooted in diaspora responsibility, national identity, and collective pride. It has positioned the organisation as one of the strongest philanthropic contributors among Bangladeshi professionals in Australia. The theme for the year 2026 places special focus on marginalised populations in Bangladesh, ensuring that those most underserved receive the visibility, support, and resources they urgently need.
The gala convened by Dr Golam Sarwar, featuring a vibrant Cultural Night, an engaging ‘Know Bangladesh’ quiz, and an elegant dinner, brought together community members to celebrate generosity and reaffirm a shared vision of improving health equity in Bangladesh. The event embodied the spirit of unity and collective action that has defined BMSV’s programs over the years.
During the evening, BMSV announced two major flagship projects that will be rolled out in 2026. The first initiative, introduced by Dr Samrarjit Dev, involves the launch of integrated community health camps in collaboration with the Birkonna Pritilota Trust, named after anti-colonial revolutionary Pritilata Waddedar. This program will provide comprehensive healthcare services, including general consultations, nutritional support, mental-health care, maternal and newborn services, and routine screenings for common conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Activities will be delivered from established facilities in Dhalghat, Patiya Upazila, supported by extensive community outreach to ensure meaningful participation and impact.
The second project was presented by Dr Md Nazmul Karim, General Secretary of BMSV and Associate Professor at Monash University. He introduced a mixed-methods research initiative focusing on the health status and associated morbidities of tea garden workers in Bangladesh, a labour population that has historically been marginalised and subjected to poor wages, food insecurity, inadequate housing, and hazardous working conditions. The project, undertaken jointly by BMSV and Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), represented by Professor Dr Saif Ullah Munshi, aims to examine the determinants of health among tea workers and identify barriers to accessing essential healthcare services.
The program was presided over by BMSV President Dr Nazmul Haque. Distinguished guests in attendance included the Guest of Honour, Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury, a respected Melbourne-based entrepreneur, prominent community leader, freedom fighter of the 1971 Liberation War, and recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM). Also present was the Special Guest, Dr Mosarrof Hossain Khan, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Medical Societies of Australia (FBMSA). Their presence underscored the strong leadership support behind BMSV’s social and humanitarian initiatives.”
The success of the evening was greatly strengthened by the generous support of key sponsors whose contributions formed the backbone of the event. PFEC Global, represented by Md Saiful Islam, played a significant role; the organisation is well known for providing expert education and migration consultancy. Homeington Land Developments led by with Mr Zahangir Alom also contributed notably to the program’s success. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia offered valuable support as well, representated by Ms Cindy Lam, Senior Relationship Manager for Premier Banking, acknowledged for their continued partnership and engagement with the Bangladeshi community. In addition to the major sponsors, BMSV warmly recognised the contributions of other donors whose generosity further enabled the charitable goals of the evening. Their collective support ensured the event could meaningfully advance BMSV’s mission of serving marginalised communities in Bangladesh.
In his closing remarks, BMSV President Dr Nazmul Haque reflected on the organisation’s long-standing mission of service to Bangladesh. He noted that charity remains one of the most meaningful contributions made by Bangladeshi doctors living in Victoria, who each year engage in health promotion, research, and community programs to support the nation they come from and feel deeply connected to. “This year, our mission is to support marginalised populations in Bangladesh,” he said. “Together, we are not just raising funds, we are raising hope.”
The success of the evening was greatly strengthened by the generous suport of key sponsors whose contributions formed the backbone of the event. PFEC Global, represented by Md Saiful Islam, played a significant role, reflecting the organisation’s reputation for expert education and migration consultancy. Homeington Land Developments, led by Mr Zahangir Alom, also contributed notably to the program’s success. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia provided valuable support as well, represented by Ms Cindy Lam, Senior Relationship Manager for Premier Banking, who was acknowledged for the bank’s continued partnership with the Bangladeshi community. BMSV also gratefully recognised the contributions of other donors whose generosity further enabled the charitable goals of the evening. Their collective support ensured meaningful progress toward BMSV’s mission of serving marginalised communities in Bangladesh.
In his closing remarks, BMSV President Dr Nazmul Haque reflected on the organisation’s long-standing mission of service to Bangladesh. He noted that charity remains one of the most meaningful contributions made by Bangladeshi doctors living in Victoria, who each year engage in health promotion, research, and community programs to support the nation they come from and remain deeply connected to. “This year, our mission is to support marginalised populations in Bangladesh,” he said. “Together, we are not just raising funds, we are raising hope”.
