Denmark seeks to expand cooperation in Bangladesh’s health sector

Denmark has expressed interest in expanding its cooperation with Bangladesh to support the development of the country’s healthcare sector.

To this end, Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Møller and State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit discussed shared priorities in the health sector and potential areas for future cooperation.

The Danish Embassy in Dhaka said on Wednesday (September 16) that the meeting covered various aspects of modernising Bangladesh’s healthcare system, expanding e-health technologies and sharing experiences between the two countries.

During the meeting, State Minister MA Muhit outlined plans to establish an effective and efficient e-health system in Bangladesh. He also expressed interest in drawing on Denmark’s experience with its advanced e-health infrastructure.

The Danish ambassador identified three promising areas for cooperation in the health sector: improving the quality of diabetes treatment and management, strengthening rehabilitation services for survivors of violence, and enhancing the capacity of the national food safety system. The two sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The meeting also highlighted the importance of safe water supply and addressing the health impacts of climate change. Denmark has long supported efforts to ensure access to safe drinking water in Bangladesh’s coastal areas. This cooperation has continued particularly to address health risks caused by rising salinity and its impact on women’s health.

In addition, Denmark is providing €300 million in financing for the expansion of the Saidabad Water Treatment Plant in Dhaka. Once implemented, the project is expected to help provide safe water to between 7 million and 9 million people in the capital, according to the meeting.

The two sides agreed to identify specific areas of cooperation in the health sector and coordinate follow-up activities. They also reaffirmed their commitment to undertaking practical initiatives through the Bangladesh-Denmark partnership to build healthier, safer and more climate-resilient communities.