Dhaka, May 25 (UNB) – Young debaters on Friday urged the government to take effective steps with a view to curbing corruption in the country’s health sector.

They made the call at the inaugural session of a three-day anti-graft debate festival, organized jointly by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and Dhaka Medical College Debating Club (DMCDC) at the DMC lecture gallery.

Dhaka Medical College Principal Prof Dr Quazi Deen Mohammad attended the function as the chief guest. TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman spoke as the special guest.

Teachers and students from different educational institutions also took part in the event.

A total of 80 debating teams from public and private medical colleges and universities are taking part in the debate festival in two categories – Bengali and English - with the slogan of ‘Good Governance in Health Sector: Want Effective Graft Prevention.’

Inaugurating the debating festival, Dr Quazi Deen Mohammad said the country’s overall progress is being hampered due to some corrupt persons in the education and health sectors. “We need to possess and practice the anti-graft values.”

Dr Iftekharuzzaman said corruption is a big challenge in bringing changes in the society. “All concerned will have to discharge their duties by following ethical values to prevent corruption in the health sector.”

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader will distribute prizes among the winners in the concluding session of the Debate Festival on Sunday.