Dhaka: Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and M©decins Sans Fronti¨res (MSF) International President Dr Mohammed Javid Abdelmoneim today discussed strengthening cooperation in humanitarian healthcare and emergency medical services in Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the discussion took place when an MSF delegation, led by Abdelmoneim, met the adviser at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). During the meeting, the two sides reviewed MSF's ongoing humanitarian and medical activities in Bangladesh, focusing on emergency healthcare and medical assistance during humanitarian crises, while exploring ways to further strengthen the organisation's operations in the country.
Humaiun praised MSF's longstanding role in providing humanitarian and medical services in Bangladesh, highlighting the crucial role of international humanitarian organisations in saving lives and ensuring emergency medical care during crises. The discussions particularly emphasized enhancing Bangladesh's capacity to deliver emergency medical and humanitarian healthcare services.
Both parties exchanged views on sharing international experience and expertise to ensure rapid and effective medical responses, especially during disasters, displacement, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies. The MSF delegation also briefed Humaiun on its field-level experiences in Bangladesh, the realities of delivering humanitarian healthcare, and future prospects for its activities in the region.
The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening coordination between relevant government institutions and international humanitarian organisations to ensure medical and other emergency assistance for people affected by humanitarian crises. The two sides also explored identifying new areas of cooperation in the health and humanitarian sectors, enhancing emergency medical capacity, and improving preparedness for rapid responses during crises.
Abdelmoneim expressed MSF's interest in continuing its operations in Bangladesh and working in coordination with the relevant authorities as needed. The meeting was attended by MSF Bangladesh Country Representative Elco Brummelmann, Malaysia Mission Regional Humanitarian Affairs Lead Ana Ansari, and Bangladesh Mission Country Representative Adviser Imamur Rahman, among others.
Both sides expressed optimism about the continuation of MSF's humanitarian and healthcare activities in Bangladesh and the potential for further strengthening future cooperation.