Date: January 28, 2026
Location: Six Seasons Hotel (Sizzlin’ Tex-Mex), Gulshan-2, Dhaka
On a crisp winter afternoon this past January, the leadership and esteemed members of BACAMH gathered for a significant Post-Conference Review Program. Against the vibrant backdrop of the Six Seasons Hotel in Gulshan, renowned psychiatrists and key stakeholders came together to reflect on the success of the 17th Annual Conference of BACAMH.
It was a memorable day marked by constructive dialogue, camaraderie, and a shared vision for the future of mental health in Bangladesh.
Charting the Future: Key Recommendations
During the session, our distinguished psychiatrists provided valuable feedback and actionable insights to elevate the organization’s impact. The discussion focused on expanding our reach, improving academic rigor, and advocating for the profession.
Here are the top 10 strategic takeaways from the review, categorized for clarity:
1. Enhancing Event Format & Duration
- Extended Schedules: To ensure deeper discussions, future conferences should be extended to a 3-day program (or a minimum of 2 full days).
- Longer Sessions: Individual scientific session duration will be increased to allow for more comprehensive presentations and Q&A.
- Biannual Events: A proposal was made to host two major programs annually—one in January and one in November—featuring service stalls alongside the academic conference.
2. Academic & Professional Development
- International Training: We aim to initiate CAP (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) training led by visiting foreign delegates to bring global expertise to our local practitioners.
- Pre-Event Preparation: To improve the quality of discourse, scientific abstracts will be sent to Session Chairs well in advance of the program.
- Expanding PG Training: There is a strong call to increase the number of Post-Graduate (PG) training centers to nurture the next generation of specialists.
3. Research & Publications
- BACAMH Research Initiatives: The association will take a more active role in commissioning and supporting original research from within the organization.
- Official Journal: A major milestone was proposed: the creation of an official BACAMH Journal to publish peer-reviewed findings and case studies.
4. Advocacy & Inclusivity
- Government Advocacy: The committee emphasized the need to approach the Government to sanction more official posts for child and adolescent mental health professionals.
- Multidisciplinary Approach: Future events and initiatives will actively include multidisciplinary people, recognizing that mental health care requires a collaborative ecosystem.
Moving Forward
This review meeting was not just a look back at the 17th Annual Conference, but a roadmap for the future. By implementing these valuable remarks, BACAMH is poised to reach new heights in clinical excellence, research, and advocacy.
We thank all the renowned psychiatrists who attended and contributed their vision to this productive session.
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
