Bangladesh seeks China's support to establish 20 hospitals

Bangladesh sought technical assistance and training from China to establish 20 major hospitals across the country as part of efforts to improve healthcare services, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said today (15 September).

He made the remarks during a meeting with senior officials of China's Hainan province at the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan.

Hainan Communist Party Committee Secretary Feng Fei and Vice Governor Xie Jing attended the meeting.

The health minister said the government is giving the highest priority to primary healthcare and wants to expand cooperation with China by leveraging the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The two sides discussed scholarships for Bangladeshi medical students, exchanges and training for doctors, prevention of tropical diseases and cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine.

They also discussed Bangladesh's initiatives and challenges in tackling non-communicable diseases, including breast cancer, as well as measles, dengue and thalassaemia.

Sakhawat invited Chinese investment in Bangladesh's healthcare manufacturing sector.

He said companies based in Hainan could set up factories in Bangladesh to produce essential medical supplies, including gloves, masks and blood bags.

Such investment would help meet domestic demand while creating opportunities to export surplus products, he added.

Hainan officials assured Bangladesh of cooperation in facilitating visits by Bangladeshi doctors, medical education and training, as well as exploring investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

Both sides expressed optimism about further expanding bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector.