Dr. Subhagata Choudhury, a prominent medical writer, has passed away at the age of 78 after battling cancer for more than five years.
His brother, Dr. Arup Ratan Choudhury, confirmed the news, stating that Subhagata fell ill on Wednesday morning and was taken to the Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute in Dhaka, where doctors declared him dead.
“He had been undergoing chemotherapy. He suddenly fell ill in the morning and passed away at home. We later took him to Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital. His body has been kept in the mortuary at BIRDEM,” Arup Ratan said.
Subhagata is survived by two daughters—one residing in Canada and the other in Australia. His last rites will take place on Friday after their arrival.
Dr. Choudhury authored over 50 articles published in both domestic and international medical journals, with a research focus on biochemistry, nutrition, and medical education. He was honored with the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2021 and the Sher-e-Bangla National Award for his contributions to medicine.
In June of last year, at an event celebrating five cancer survivors, Dr. Choudhury shared: “I was told I had four years to live, but I’ve made it to six.”
“Cancer is not a disease. The way it’s depicted in films and plays is misleading. You can live with cancer and even overcome it. There is no reason to fear it,” he said.
He also advocated for creating a cancer treatment fund for those in need. “Where will the money for cancer treatment for the poor come from? Are we addressing this issue? Medical expenses are a significant cause of poverty. Those working on cancer should establish a fund. Making cancer treatment accessible to common people would be a blessing,” he said.
Born in Sylhet in 1947, Dr. Choudhury pursued education both at home and abroad. He completed health care research at St Thomas’ Hospital in London and served as the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Chittagong University.
Throughout his career, he traveled extensively to countries including the UK, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and West Africa for research, training, and presenting papers. He was also an advisor to the Association of Nutritionists and Dieticians for Social Services (ANDSS).
