‘Green channel’ for Bangladeshi patients at Kunming Huaxia Eye Hospital: priority appointments, interpreters and follow-up care after returning home
Photo: Collected
A specialised service called the ‘Green Channel’ has been launched for Bangladeshi eye patients in southwest China for the first time. Its aim is to make it easier for Bangladeshis who wish to go to China for advanced eye treatment to receive care. Under it, patients will receive medical advice and have their documents reviewed before travelling to China. Priority appointments at the hospital, a separate international desk, interpreter support and follow-up treatment even after returning home will also be available.
The service was formally inaugurated today, Saturday, at Kunming Huaxia Eye Hospital in Kunming, China. Consul General Shahnaz Ranu of the Bangladesh Consulate General unveiled the plaque of the ‘Green Channel’. On the same day, she also inaugurated the ‘Huaxia Ophthalmology International Forum 2026’.
First Secretary (Commercial) of the Bangladesh Consulate General Ridwanur Rahman and Vice President of Huaxia Eye Hospital Zhang Zhiyong were present at the event.
Those involved said that under the new system, Bangladeshi patients will be able to get the necessary advice and have their medical documents reviewed before setting off for China for treatment. On arrival at the hospital, there will be a separate international desk and priority appointments for them. Interpreters will be provided to overcome language barriers, and follow-up services will be available even after they return to Bangladesh at the end of treatment.
At the inaugural event, Consul General Shahnaz Ranu highlighted the progress of Bangladesh’s public health sector and the achievements of the country’s institutions in eye care. Along with ensuring international-standard treatment for Bangladeshi patients, she placed special emphasis on patient safety, transparency of services, fair prices and the protection of dignity.
In her words, the main expectation of the Bangladesh Consulate General is that Bangladeshi patients receive quality and safe treatment, that there is transparency in treatment costs and that patients’ dignity is upheld.
She urged the Huaxia hospital authorities to come forward not only to expand opportunities for Bangladeshi patients to receive treatment in China but also to strengthen the capacity of Bangladesh’s eye care system.
In this regard, the consul general specifically mentioned training for Bangladeshi eye doctors and nurses, tele-consultation and building partnerships with eye care institutions in Bangladesh. In her view, these initiatives offer an opportunity to increase the capacity to provide advanced eye care within the country.
With the launch of the ‘Green Channel’, Bangladeshi eye patients who wish to be treated in China now have access to an integrated service, from consultation to post-treatment follow-up. Expanding training and cooperation between eye care institutions of the two countries also received importance.
Background
Bangladeshi patients began travelling to Kunming for treatment in March last year. Asia News Network, citing a report by The Daily Star, said on 13 March 2025 that the first group of Bangladeshi patients had arrived in Kunming; the 14-member group included three children with congenital heart disease, who were admitted to Fuwai Yunnan Hospital.
Sources
Background source: Asia News Network (The Daily Star), 13 March 2025
