Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's wife and renowned cardiologist Dr Zubaida Rahman on Saturday expressed the hope that Dhaka Medical College (DMC) will emerge as one of South Asia's leading centres for medical education, research and innovation within the next 20-25 years.

Speaking as a special guest at the inaugural programme of DMC Day-2026, she said, "Twenty or twenty-five years from now, we want to see Dhaka Medical College as one of South Asia's finest centres for medical education, research and innovation."

A former student of the DMC's 43rd batch, Zubaida said the institution's next chapter should be marked by innovation, international collaboration, excellence in research and compassionate leadership.

"Today, we are spread across different parts of the world. Our workplaces may be different, but the roots of our identity remain at Dhaka Medical College Hospital," she said.

Zubaida said DMC Hospital should become "a centre of excellence and compassion for patients."

"A reassuring word can work like medicine. While medical science is built on knowledge, the medical profession is founded on humanity. However advanced technology becomes, people will always remain at the centre of healthcare," she added.

Calling on former students to contribute more actively to the institution, Zubaida said alumni should be connected not only through memories but also through responsibility.

"The true strength of an institution lies not in its infrastructure but in its people. Dhaka Medical College's greatest assets are its talent, values and humanity. Even in competition, cooperation remains a strength. Behind every success in medical science is a human being, a family and a life," she said.

Recalling her student days, Zubaida shared several emotional experiences that shaped her understanding of the medical profession.

She remembered the death of a patient suffering from brain haemorrhage because the hospital's CT scan machine was out of order at the time.

"Despite our best efforts, we could not save him. During my third, fourth and fifth years, and later during internship, I witnessed and felt that helplessness many times," the PM’s wife said.

She also recalled a blind child admitted to the paediatric ward, a domestic worker suffering from aplastic anaemia, and a poor pregnant woman abandoned by her husband after learning she was expecting what he thought would be their eighth daughter.

The baby was later born as a boy but suffered breathing complications before doctors managed to save him, Zubaida recalled.

"I believe the situation has improved now. After I lost my job, I never had the opportunity to return to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. But we still dream of seeing it as a centre of excellence and compassion," she said.

The programme was organised at Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon Auditorium to mark the college's 80th founding anniversary where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed as the chief guest.

Tarique drove himself to the campus with Zubaida. They inaugurated the celebration by releasing balloons before visiting Kazi Fazlul Huq Women's Hostel, where Zubaida had lived as a student. The couple exchanged greetings with current students there.

Before the discussion session, the Prime Minister was briefed on the ongoing construction of two women's hostels on the campus. Later, he and Zubaida planted two saplings.

The programme also featured a two-hour discussion on modernising Bangladesh's healthcare system, during which DMC alumni presented their ideas to the Prime Minister.

Tarique and Zubaida were presented with portraits painted by a DMC artist.

Founded on July 11, 1946, with just 10 students, Dhaka Medical College has grown into the country's premier medical institution.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr MA Muhit, Principal of Dhaka Medical College Prof Md Mazharul Shaheen and Vice Principal Prof Musarrat Sultana spoke at the event.