BIRDEM

BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders) a multi-sectoral health care delivery centre founded by National Professor mohammad ibrahim in Dhaka in 1980. Comprehensive diabetic health care services of the diabetic association of bangladesh (DAB) is provided at this institute. It is the central institute of DAB, accommodated in three large multi-storied buildings, wherein a modern sophisticated cardiac centre has also been established.
The hospital, housed in a 15-storied building now has 542 beds, of which about 80 are free for poor diabetic patients. On an average about 2500 diabetic patients come and have their check-ups everyday. It is the largest health complex in Bangladesh, with almost all types of clinical and diagnostic facilities.
Extensive research activities on endocrinology, metabolism, clinical pharmacology, immunology, epidemiology, etc are conducted here. Special research on anitdiabetic properties of medicinal plants is also done. Advanced laboratory investigations, such as Radioimmunoassay (RIA), Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), tissue culture, and karyotyping are performed. These activities are conducted in collaboration with different national and international research organisations.
The clinical services of BIRDEM provide comprehensive diabetic care free of charge to all the registered diabetic patients irrespective of economic and social status. The patients are entitled to get free medical supervision, consultations, diabetic education (which includes basic knowledge on overall health), advice on nutrition, social support, and rehabilitation, if necessary. Insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, and medicines are supplied free or at subsidized cost to those who are in need. The in-patients departments have taken the characteristics of almost a general hospital, although diabetic and other endocrine patients are always given priority.
In 1986, BIRDEM Academy was established with a view to producing adequate qualified manpower on Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism (DEM) for not only BIRDEM, but also for all other medical institutions in the country. The Academy conducts courses for diplomas and degrees such as MPhil, MD and PhD in DEM under the bangabandhu sheikh mujib medical university.
In 1982, BIRDEM was recognised as a 'WHO Collaborating Centre for Developing Community Oriented Programme for Diabetes Prevention and Control'.