Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury Biography, Freedom Fighter, And Founder Of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Dies At 82, Know Everything About Him!
Matthew Perez
Published Mar 16, 2026
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury (Born: 27 December 1941; Died: 11 April 2023) was a Bangladeshi public health activist. He was known as the founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra. It is a rural healthcare organization.
Dr. Zafrullah was known more for his effort in planning the Bangladesh National Drug Policy in 1982. His work in population control gained him the inaugural Independence Day Award in 1977.
Unfortunately, Dr. Zafrullah died at a hospital of the organization at the age of 82. He was suffering from kidney issues and several illnesses.
#Bangladesh : Freedom fighter, public health pioneer Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury passes away. #DrZafrullahChowdhury was vascular surgeon and a pioneer in public health. He set up Gonoshasthaya Kendra in 1972 to provide affordable and quality treatment to underprivileged people.
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 12, 2023
In this blog, you’ll read about Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury’s Biography, Freedom Fighter, And Founder Of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Who Dies At 82, and Know Everything About Him!
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury Biography, Freedom Fighter, And Founder Of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Dies At 82, Know Everything About Him!
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury was born on 27 December 1941, his birthplace was Chittagong Division, Raozan, Bengal Presidency, British India (Now Bangladesh). According to his birth date, Dr. Zafrullah was 82 years old at the time of his death.
In 1972, Dr. Zafrullah started the Gonoshasthaya Kendra. The scheme was launched in a concept paper titled, ‘Basic Health Care in Rural Bangladesh’ in Dhaka.
The Basic Health Care Center focuses on the availability of basic healthcare in rural areas. The center also runs a vocational training center, community schools, a university, a printing press, agricultural cooperatives, a hospital, and a generic drug manufacturing plant.
Gonoshasthaya Kendra has been very fortunate in providing infant mortality rates, family planning services, and lowering maternal.
Though limited in its reach, it developed the introduction of low-rate generic drugs. In 1973, Gonoshasthaya Kendra formed a Rural Healthcare Insurance System, the first of its kind in Bangladesh.
| Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury Biography | |
| Full Name | Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury |
| Nick Name | Zafrullah |
| Profession | Bangladeshi public health activist, doctor, and politician |
| Date of Birth | 27 December 1941 |
| Birth Place | Chittagong Division, Raozan, Bengal Presidency, British India (Now Bangladesh) |
| Age | 82 years old |
| Parents | Mr. Chowdhury (Father) Mrs. Chowdhury (Mother) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Height | In centimeters -183 cm In meters – 1.83 m In feet – 6’0” feet |
| Weight | in kilograms: 77 kg in pounds: 169 lbs |
| Hobbies | Not Known |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Net Worth | Under Review |
| Religion | Under Review |
| Educational Qualification | Post- Graduation |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | White |
| Ethnicity | Not Known |
| Death Date | 11 April 2023 |
| Death Place | Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Cause of Death | kidney issues and several illnesses |
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury’s Early Life & Education
Dr. Zafrullah spent his early childhood in Kolkata, India and later his family migrated to Bangladesh. Zafrullah was one of 10 children born to his parents.
After going to Nabakumar School at Bakshibazar, he attended Dhaka College. He graduated with a medical degree from Dhaka Medical College, where he got obtained leftist political ideologies.
As the general secretary of the Dhaka Medical College students’ union, Zafrullah organizes a press conference to reveal the corruption at the hospital. After an unstable student life, he completed his MBBS degree in 1964 and then he went to the United Kingdom for post-graduate studies in general and vascular surgery.
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury’s Awards
- 1974 – Swedish Youth Peace Prize
- 1977 – Independence Day Award, Bangladesh
- 1992 – Right Livelihood Award, Sweden
- 1985 – Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, Philippines
- 2009 – DHS (Doctor of Humanitarian Service), World Organization of Natural Medicine, Toronto, Canada
- 2010 – International Public Health Heroes Award, UC Berkeley, United States of America
- 2022 – “NRB (Non Resident Bangladeshi) Liberation War Hero 1971” awarded by Voice for Global Bangladeshis, United Kingdom.
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury’s Cause of Death
Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder and fearless freedom fighter Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury passed away on 11 April 2023 at the Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital. He was 82 years old.
Professor Brigadier (Retd) Mamun Mostafi was leading a medical board, which was formed for Dr. Zafrullah’s treatment, he confirmed that Dr. Zafrullah breathed his last at 11:00 pm.
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury was admitted on Wednesday to Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital’s Dhanmondi as his health condition deteriorated.
He was suffering largely due to kidney illness alongside liver problems and Septicemia since he was imposed by Covid-19. But his death news came hours after doctors said he was acknowledging the treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury’s Biography
Q.1 Who was Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury?
Ans. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury was a Bangladeshi public health activist, doctor, and politician.
Q.2 What was the age of Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury at the time of his death?
Ans. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury was born on 27 December 1941, his birthplace was Chittagong Division, Raozan, Bengal Presidency, British India (Now Bangladesh). According to his birth date, Dr. Zafrullah was 82 years old at the time of his death.
Q.3 What was Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury’s nationality?
Ans. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury holds the nationality of Bangladeshi.
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