Photo: Collected
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said China and Pakistan have opened their doors to give Bangladeshi doctors opportunities for training and fellowships. He said China has spoken of taking Bangladeshi doctors on fellowships as well as giving them access to that country’s hospitals. In addition, arrangements will be made for hands-on training to be given in Bangladesh and, if necessary, for training by taking them to China.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised on the occasion of the upgrading of the National Institute of ENT in the capital from 135 to 250 beds on Wednesday (30 September).
The health minister said China has opened its doors. They are asking us to send our doctors for fellowships, so that our physicians have access to each of their hospitals. They will come here and give hands-on training, and from time to time they will also take our physicians there and train them.
On Pakistan’s cooperation, he said the Pakistanis have said they will take cancer patients from here and treat them, and will come here and give us hands-on training.
On thalassaemia and HIV, the minister called for raising public awareness alongside medical services. He said raising awareness alongside treatment is now your biggest responsibility too. You know better than I do at what rate thalassaemia is increasing. I now go to villages and explain it to people, and the public is also accepting the matter.
Advising thalassaemia tests for the bride and groom before marriage, he said that if both husband and wife are carriers of thalassaemia, there is a risk of the child being affected. So the blood of the boy and the girl should be tested before marriage; thalassaemia is detected in the blood itself.
Addressing the doctors, the minister said it is not possible to control all diseases through treatment alone; awareness must be raised among the public. Besides making parents aware of their children’s health, wherever doctors go they must make people aware of thalassaemia, HIV and contagious diseases. He also stressed building public awareness on matters such as hand washing and cleanliness.
With National Institute of ENT Director Professor Dr Md Hasan Zafar in the chair, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) Secretary General Dr Zahirul Islam Shakil, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital Chairman Professor Dr AKM Azizul Hoque and DAB President Professor Dr Harun Al Rashid also spoke at the event.
