BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders)

In the mid seventies, a complex was established at Shahbag area in the name of `Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders' (BIRDEM). The name implies that it was planned from the very beginning that all facilities for academic and research activities will be available within the Association. It is a 550-beded hospital. BIRDEM is now providing diabetic care to almost 3.5 lakh patients from which about 3500 registered patients are taking health services from BIRDEM OPD every day. In a small surveys it is indicated that the prevalence of diabetes in Bangladesh in populations aged over 15 years is between 2%-5%. This type of similarity is also found in most of the under-developed countries. As diabetes may affect other system of the body, BIRDEM adopted a multidisciplinary approach to its services. Gradually, BIRDEM established specialized disciplines like, Cardiology, Gastro-enterology, Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nephrology etc. From 1982 BIRDEM was designated as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research on prevention and control of Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. It is first of its kind outside Europe