An examination centre of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (RCPS) of the United Kingdom could not be set up here in the face of the opposition by a section of doctors in the country.

Once the local doctors can obtain degrees like Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP), Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS), Member of the Royal College of Gynaecology and Obstetrician (MRCOG) and Member of the Royal College of Dentistry (MFDS) through this centre, they will be able to practise in most of the developed countries including the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Italy.

"Our doctors will get global recognition once our young doctors obtain degrees from the RCPS," said ProfQuazi Shahidul Alam, president of the Postgraduate Doctors' Association and a former secretary general of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA).

"If our neighbouring countries can have RCPS exam centres and obtain global recognition, then why not our doctors?" he asked.

There is a strong demand for the centre in Bangladesh and a large number of doctors have already supported die demand by holding rallies.

The issue was also raised in the Jatiya Sangsad on March 7, when Health Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain assured of exploring all possible opportunities in favour of setting up of a centre in the country.

"If we have the centre, the standard of medical education would eventually improve," said Dr Rakibul Islam Litu, secretary general of Postgraduate Doctors' Association.

Principal of Bangladesh Medical College Prof M A Zaman said, "We must explore all opportunities for quality education and I believe having an RCPS examination centre would mean that local doctors can obtain degree of international standard sitting down at home."

Prof Ruhul Haq, former director of National Institute of Traumatology and Rehabilitation (NITOR) also spoke in favour of having RCPS examination centre here.

He said, "To raise quality of education we should encourage setting up of the centre. In fact, it is an opportunity for our doctors to be recognised globally once they obtain degree from RCPS."

Dr Iqbal Arslan, head of the department biochemistry of BSMMUH, said, "To generate qual-

ity specialists we must grab all opportunities. So a RCPS centre here will be a boon for our doctors."

Those opposing the idea of opening a RCPS centre here said once it is set up value and respect for BCPS would gradually disappear.

T am against having a RCPS exam centre in Bangladesh." said Prof Rafiq Uddin, head of the department of medicine of Dhaka Medical College (DMC).

"Our effort should be to further improve and enhance the standard of BCPS so that our degree gets equal global recognition. In fact, once the RCPS centre is established, I fear that a 'brain drain' would take place and all the top ranking doctors would be employed abroad," he added.

When contacted, Dr A ZM Zahid Hossain, secretary general of BCPS and secretary general of BMA, said, "Why should we have RCPS exam centre here when we already have formal ties with them. In fact, we formally requested the RCPS to accredit our institute which would be more helpful than having just an examination centre here."

Prof Rashid-e-Mahbub, former BMA president, also opposed the idea of having a centre here and said, "We should further Improve the BCPS for higher education."