Founded in 1956 through the initiative of Late National Prof (Dr) M Ibrahim the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (acronymed in Bengali as BADAS from Bangladesh Diabetic Somity) is now the largest healthcare chain in Bangladesh next to the public sector. Starting from a small tin-shed establishment it has grown into a nation-wide organization consisting of around 80 healthcare and educational facilities spread all over the country. The single largest component of the chain is the Bangladesh Institute of Research & Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM, established 1980) is situated in the capital and presently serving around 380,000 registered diabetic patients (around 3000 patients per day). The Institute has a 650-bed modern hospital, an Academy which runs 14 postgraduate courses in various disciplines of medicine, and it also conducts research activities which has been acknowledged through the WHO designation of BIRDEM as a Collaborating Centre for Research on Diabetes and its Complications. In total BADAS serves about 1.4 million registered diabetic patients in the country and, in addition, it serves a vast number of non-diabetic population with diagnostic and therapeutic services. Various projects of BADAS also played a pioneering role in introducing latest diagnostic and health care technologies, techniques and ideas in Bangladesh. All the development, as mentioned above, occurred through a sort of organic process: need of diabetes care, and gradually general health care, among the population and inner urge by the Founder and his Associates and Successors to serve the people. The whole organization was developed through the intellect, dedication, work plan and finance of Bangladeshi people external advice and cooperation has played only a facilitating role in special circumstances.
