Kanu Bala

Bangladesh

Kanu Bala, MBBS, PhD, FRCP is graduated in medicine from Dhaka Medical College of Dhaka University in Bangladesh. He received doctorate degrees both from the Dhaka University and from the University of Science and Technology [USTC]. Prof. Bala is awarded FRCP from the Royal College of Physicians, Dublin, Ireland and from the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, UK.

Prof. Kanu Bala is the Professor of Ultrasound & Imaging of the University of Science and Technology [USTC]. He is the Director of the Bangladesh Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and Research and Medical Director of the Bangladesh Institute of Family Medicine and Research of the University of Science and Technology [USTC]. He is a popular teacher amongst the undergraduate and postgraduate students. Prof. Bala is an examiner of different universities in home and abroad. Prof. Bala conducts Jefferson Ultrasound Research and Education Institute [JUREI] programs in Bangladesh since 1998. Every year a good number of doctors trained in ultrasonography sit for JUREI evaluation.

Prof. Bala is one of the pioneers of introducing and developing diagnostic ultrasonography in Bangladesh. He is the key person for establishing and nourishing Bangladesh Society of Ultrasonography. From the very beginning he is trying to establish ultrasound education in Bangladesh and in other developing countries of the World. Prof. Bala has contributed significantly in the field of ultrasound education. For the first time, he proposed and practiced 2-step education in ultrasound for the developing countries in 1990. 8 years after this in 1998, World health Organization has recommended the same type of education in ultrasound for the developing countries.

Prof. Bala is a pioneer of Gastrointestinal Ultrasound, especially of Hydrocolonic Sonography. He is now working on ultrasound diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis.

In 2004, World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology [WFUMB] has established its first ‘Center of Excellence’ in Dhaka under the leadership of Prof. Kanu Bala. Considering performances, WFUMB has declared it as an Independent Center of Excellence since 2009. Doctors of Bangladesh and the neighboring countries are being trained from the centre.

Prof. Bala is currently serving as the Member of the Administrative Council of the Asian Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology [AFSUMB], Member of the Executive Body of the Bangladesh Society of Ultrasonography, Director of the WFUMB Center of Education, and Member of the Education Committee of the AFSUMB. He is a recipient of the ‘Leader of the Profession’ award of the University of Science and Technology [USTC], ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award of the Bangladesh Society of Ultrasonography, and ‘Global Family Physician’ & WONCA Fellow award of the World Organization of Family Doctors [WONCA].

Prof. Bala is an outstanding world class speaker. He delivered Invited Speeches at the WFUMB Congresses in Florence, Sydney, Vienna, Sao Paolo, Taipei and Melbourne; at the AFSUMB Congresses in Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Utsunomiya, Bangkok, Delhi, Bali, Kyoto, Seoul; at the Australasian Society of Ultrasound Congress in Perth; and at the Indian Federation of Ultrasound Societies Congress in Kolkata. As AFSUMB Education Committee Chairman he has organized AFSUMB Workshops in Manila, India, Jakarta, Ulan Bator, Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore and Katmandu.

Prof. Bala has authored 3 books, 160 articles of those 90 as first author, 150 abstracts, and many popular articles for patient’s information. At present he is serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Journal of Family Physicians, Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Bangladesh Journal of Ultrasonography, and Member of the Editorial Board of the AFSUMB Journal publishing from Hong Kong. He is a reviewer of Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine of AIUM since 2010.

Prof. Kanu Bala spends a part of his time and energy for the welfare of the common people. He is associated with Anti-tobacco movement, Healthy Heart Movement, and Anti-cancer movement. He used to be an enthusiastic member of the Medical Team during any natural disaster.

March 2022