Hainan: Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain today sought Chinese investment in Bangladesh health sector to improve healthcare in the country. 'Bangladesh government is attaching highest importance to primary healthcare for improving health services in the country. It has plans to establish 20 large hospitals in different regions. We expect technical assistance and training from China for establishing these hospitals,' he said. He made the remarks at a meeting with senior officials of Hainan Province at the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan, China.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Secretary of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China Feng Fei and Vice Governor Xie Jing were present at the meeting. The minister said Bangladesh wants to further strengthen mutual cooperation in the health sector by leveraging its strong bilateral relations with China. The meeting discussed scholarships for Bangladeshi medical students, exchanges and training of doctors, prevention of tropical diseases, and cooperation in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Bangladesh's various initiatives and challenges in addressing non-communicable diseases such as breast cancer, as well as infectious and other diseases including measles, dengue, and thalassemia were discussed in the meeting. Calling for Chinese investment in Bangladesh, the minister said Hainan-based industrial enterprises could establish factories in Bangladesh to manufacture essential medical supplies, including gloves, masks, and blood bags. This would not only meet domestic demand but also create opportunities to export surplus products, he said.
The Hainan officials assured cooperation regarding visits by Bangladeshi doctors, medical education and training, and exploring investment opportunities in Bangladesh. Both sides expressed optimism about further expanding cooperation in the health sector. Deputy Secretary of the Health Services Division Fatima-Tuz-Johora Thakur, Commercial Counsellor at the Bangladesh Embassy in China Md. Ziaur Rahman, and General Manager of Malisha Group Maruf Molla were present at the meeting.