Dhaka: Bangladesh has got the first female contingent commander in the United Nations peacekeeping mission as Col Dr Nazma Begum of Bangladesh Army is leading a team to Ivory Coast.

A 56-member medical contingent of Bangladesh Army, led by Col Dr Nazma, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a UN charted flight on Saturday night, said an ISPR release on Sunday.

The contingent has six female officers and they will provide treatment at a level-2 hospital there.

Col Dr Nazma was the first female commanding officer of 21 field ambulance in the history of Bangladesh Army, the release added.  

She also served as the assistant director of medical services at 11 Infantry Division in Bogra.

Bangladesh Army has been carrying out peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast since 2004 with ‘reputation, efficiency, professionalism and sincerity’, said the press release.