Philippines: In a recent diplomatic engagement, Philippines Ambassador to Bangladesh Nina P Cainglet extended a request for collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector, leveraging Bangladesh's robust pharmaceutical industry capabilities. The ambassador made this proposition during a courtesy call on Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Ambassador Cainglet highlighted that the Philippines currently imports around 67 percent of its medicines from Western countries, thus underscoring the potential benefits of engaging with Bangladesh's pharmaceutical sector. The ambassador also stressed the significance of establishing direct flights between Dhaka and Manila, aiming to enhance trade ties and foster stronger people-to-people connections between the two nations.
During the meeting, discussions also covered various topics, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries. This agreement focuses on improving nursing education quality and boosting capacity in the sector. Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain detailed the government's commitment to elevating healthcare services to meet the standards of developed nations by equipping hospitals with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
The health minister further elaborated on the government's ongoing initiatives to reform the health system, ensuring accessible healthcare services at all societal levels. He mentioned that assessments are being conducted across various hospitals nationwide to gauge the current status of healthcare services, reflecting the government's dedication to bringing healthcare to the people's doorsteps.