The history of orthopaedic surgery in the country goes back to the early '60s. Before 1963, orthopaedic surgery used to be practiced by the general surgeons. In 1963, the first orthopaedic unit emerged at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Till 1972, two more orthopaedic units were started at two other medical college hospitals in the country.
The development of this specialty took place immediately after the war of liberation in 1971.In February 1972 Dr. R.J.Garst, FACS an american orthopaedic surgeon came forward to help take care of the injured freedom fighters. He started his work in Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital at Dhaka with 100 beds. In the early days volunteers from all over the world came to our help. They included orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, specialized nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, & limb-brace makers. The services of Orthopaedic Overseas and World Orthopaedic Concern particularly needs to be mentioned in this respect.
Diploma in Orthopaedics (D.Orth) & Masters of Surgery in Orthopaedics (M.S.Orth) course affiliated to the University of Dhaka was approved in October 1973.
Rehabilitation Institute & Hospital for the Disabled (RIHD) started operating in April 1978. This is a 500 bed orthopaedic & trauma hospital and teaching institute. The number of teaching staff is 37. The number of postgraduate trainees at any time are usually over 50.The
name of this institute was changed to National Institute of Traumatology &
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in October 2002.
Bangladesh has a population of 125 million people served by about 200 orthopaedic surgeons. There is 1 Medical University and 13 Medical College Hospitals, all of which has a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The country has 64 District Hospitals in all of which there is an orthopaedic consultant.
NITOR, the Medical College Hospitals, and the District Hospitals are controlled by the Ministry of Health, Government of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) is autonomous. At present post-graduate orthopaedic courses ( D.Orth & M.S.Orth) are conducted at
NITOR, BSMMU & other Medical College Hospitals. Most of the 200 orthopaedic surgeons serving the country are locally trained.
Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society (BOS) was formed on 24th Aug.1979. All orthopaedic surgeons of the country are members of the society. It has a 22 member executive committee. This committee is elected every two year. It organizes the National & the International Conference every year alternately. It publishes the "Journal of Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society" every six months and a Newsletter every three months. BOS is also engaged in propagating orthopaedic education amongst the trainees and surgeons by holding regular seminars in different parts of the country.
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