The establishment of the Australia Bangladesh Health Forum INC (ABHF) is a testament to the collaborative efforts of six dedicated Bangladeshi doctors who shared a common dream of creating a platform for all Bangladeshi-Australian health professionals to unite. These co-founders, including Dr. Satyajit Datta, Dr. Mahbuba Khanom Mukta, Dr. Mohammad Sharier, Dr. Rumana Afroze, Dr. Sazeedul Islam, and Dr. Suranjana Jennifer Rahman, envisioned a space where a diverse range of health workers - doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, speech pathologist & therapist, occupational therapists, dietitian, academics, and more - could come together.
Recognising the importance of allied health professionals in their daily work, the co-founders aimed to amplify the voices of Bangladeshi health professionals by incorporating all stakeholders in the platform. Through collaboration and outreach efforts, they engaged with peers - Dr. Moynul Haque, Dr. Mesbah Alam, Dr. Farzana Yusuf and their support was invaluable . Dr. Nahid Sayma and Dr. Mokerrem Hasan who are dentists by profession also joined to expand the ABHF network.
Feedback from fellow senior colleagues -Dr. Rafiqur Rahman, Dr. Ishrat Jahan, Dr. Halim Chowdhury, Dr. Fakhrul Islam, Dr. Syed Farabi provided valuable insights as the co-founders worked tirelessly over a year to bring their vision to life. The platform, Australia Bangladesh health forum Inc. serves as a hub for Bangladeshi health professionals, offering opportunities for networking, collaboration, professional development, peer support, and advocacy. The aim of ABHF is to promote health initiatives, facilitate social gatherings, establish a unified voice for the community & create a platform for community services.
In essence, the history of ABHF serves as a powerful reminder of the positive outcomes that can result from collective vision and action within the healthcare community. Through their commitment to inclusivity,collaboration, and empowerment, ABHF has created a legacy that continues to benefit Bangladeshi health professionals & overall Bangladeshi communities in Australia.