Dhaka: Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain announced that Bangladesh has successfully facilitated the treatment of more than 159 July fighters in four countries through bilateral arrangements. This initiative is described as part of the government’s diplomatic response to both domestic and friendly nations’ health needs.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Touhid shared these remarks during a seminar titled “Navigating the New Landscape of Global Health: Strategic Pathways for Bangladesh” at the Foreign Service Academy. The Foreign Secretary, Asad Alam Siam, delivered the welcome speech and outlined the agenda, focusing on Bangladesh’s positioning within the evolving global health architecture.
Touhid, acting as the chief guest, emphasized the crucial role of his ministry at the intersection of health and diplomacy. He highlighted Bangladesh’s active participation in pandemic agreement negotiations, forums on non-communicable diseases, and partnerships aimed at developing the health workforce and hospital infrastructure.
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Touhid noted it as a significant lesson in health diplomacy, specifically referencing Bangladesh’s efforts in securing vaccines and medical supplies through multilateral mechanisms such as COVAX. He stressed the importance of balancing ‘Foreign Policy for Health’ and ‘Health for Foreign Policy’ as the nation navigates global health challenges.
Touhid also underscored Bangladesh’s contributions to global health, mentioning the country’s pharmaceutical exports to nearly 150 countries, the global impact of ICDDR,B’s research, the potential of the oral cholera vaccine developed by Bangladeshi scientists, and the role of peacekeepers in providing medical support in Africa.
He cautioned that declining international attention to large-scale humanitarian situations, like the Rohingya crisis, poses significant regional health security risks. Additionally, he highlighted the challenges of Bangladesh’s epidemiological transition, climate-linked vector diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the upcoming LDC graduation, which will necessitate renewed international partnerships and sustained domestic investment.
Touhid expressed optimism that the seminar would assist in identifying strategies to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Bangladesh’s missions abroad. This collaboration aims to achieve universal health coverage and reinforce national health security under the One Health approach.
The event assembled diplomats, health experts, and policy specialists to discuss global health governance and Bangladesh’s strategic positioning in this domain.