by Sumon Corraya

The New Zealand native died yesterday at the age of 74. In Bangladesh, he founded the Kaliakuri Health Care Project in Tangail District. During his 35 years of service, he took care of the country’s poor. For the bishop of Mymensingh, "he was an example of how we can sincerely take to heart caring for people.” A documentary by a producer working for state television raised his profile, and led the government to grant him Bangladeshi citizenship.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Dr Edric Baker (pictured right) passed away yesterday at the age of 74. A Catholic medical doctor from New Zealand, he was well known and loved in Bangladesh for his untiring service to the country’s poor.

His funeral was held today at the Kaliakuri Health Care Project in Tangail District (Dhaka), in the Diocese of Mymensingh. Thousands of Christians, Muslims and Hindus attended the solemn service in honour of the doctor.

Speaking to AsiaNews, Mgr Ponen Paul Kubi, bishop of Mymensingh, remembers him as “a simple man, who had a major role in our country and diocese. We shall remember him for many years. For all of us, he was an example of how we can sincerely take to heart caring for people."

Edric Baker was a lay Catholic and a physician. Born in New Zealand, he moved to Bangladesh in 1979 where he set up the Kaliakuri Health Care Project to provide care for the poor free of charge, regardless of creed or race. People used to call him "doctor bhai", i.e. "brother doctor".

He worked selflessly for 35 years. For this reason, the local government granted him Bangladeshi citizenship in August 2014, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the nation.

Local and international media often reported on his work. He was popular and highly respected among Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, and of course Christians.

Many of those at the funeral recall how he won the hearts and minds of people through his love. People were struck by his kindness and saw that his goodness was due to his Christian faith. He spread the Gospel through his service.

“Dr Edric Baker’s death is a great loss,” said, Rajia Sultana Shully, a Muslim woman. “Doctors from Bangladesh should learn from him on how to treat patients in a conscientious way."

"He gave meaning to life in serving the poor. May his soul rest in peace," said Hanif Sanket, a director and presenter with state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV).

Sanket produced a documentary in 2011 on Dr Baker’s work, which raised his profile and led the Bangladeshi government to grant him Bangladeshi citizenship.

The Catholic physician “loved our country more than we did, even though he was a foreigner,” said Masum Billah, one of his patients. Hasima, another patient, shares that sentiment. “I have only heartfelt love and respect for him,” she said.

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• baker
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