They said there are only 5500 medical technologists in the country which needs around 2.94 lakh technologists to assist 42000 registered physicians.

The seminar titled 'Health technology education for national development and its future' was organised by Bangladesh Association of Medical Institute (BAMI) at the National Press Club in the city.

The speakers said BTEB has specific regulations, international credit system curriculum and the ability to play distinct role in technical education as per Parliamentary Technical Education Board.

But the irony is that SMF under the health ministry has been controlling and issuing certificate for a three-year diploma course on health technology which is not at par with the international standard, they said.

That is why a huge number of health technologists hade been deprived of achieving higher education and getting job abroad, they added.

The speakers said through an understanding, SMF could transfer its authority to BTEB which is controlling other technical educations in the country.

While speaking as chief guest, Prof Dr MR Khan said health technologists should be provided with standard curriculum and evaluation.

"Those capable of doing the job should be entrusted with the responsibility for imparting health technology education," he said, adding that the number of health technologist should be increased as there are only one medical technologist for seven physicians, which should be 7:1.

" If the officials of health and education ministries sit together to discuss the issue, the problem can be resolved easily," he said.

While presenting the keynote paper, BAMI Director General M Akram Hossain said since SMF has been failing to produce internationally standard skilled health technologists, most of the health centres, clinics and hospitals are run by inefficient health technologists and for their erroneous diagnosis people have lost faith in them.

The speakers said though technological education in different sectors like agriculture, textile, marine, aeronautical, electrical and telecommunication is being conducted by BETB, only health technology education is still under the control of medical health faculty.

In order to improve the country's medical technological education and produce skilled medical technologists, they urged SMF to prepare a befitting course curriculum.

Besides, BETB should be given the responsibility for conducting examinations and issuing certificates for a three-year diploma course, they added.

Language veteran Prof Dr Mirza Mazharul Islam, President of the association Dr MA Bashed, Prof Dr Hosne-Ara Begum, Gazi MA Salam and Dr NM Kiron also spoke on the occasion.