PM assures support for makers of domestically developed ventilators, oxygen machines

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has praised the manufacturers of domestically developed ventilators and high-flow oxygen machines, assuring all necessary government support to make the devices market-ready following required testing and approvals.

He gave the assurance at a meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday (July 28). The matter was confirmed by the Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. During the meeting, experts presented details on the functionality, potential and future plans for the domestically developed machines.

The Prime Minister said the government is giving the highest priority to research, innovation and technology-driven initiatives to advance modern healthcare in the country. He assured that the government would provide necessary support at every stage, including quality assurance, clinical trials and production.

The meeting was informed that two separate expert teams have developed the ventilator and the high-flow oxygen machine. Once approved by the relevant regulatory authorities and clinical trials are completed, these devices could be used in hospitals across the country and potentially exported to international markets.

According to experts, domestically produced devices will be comparatively cheaper, reducing healthcare costs and dependence on imported foreign technology and foreign dependency.

The meeting also heard that the ventilator is a life-saving device used for patients with severe respiratory conditions. Extensive testing will be conducted to ensure international standards of safety and efficacy. The high-flow oxygen machine, suitable for patients with moderate respiratory distress, has the added advantage of functioning without a direct electricity supply, making it usable in areas without power or in ambulances during emergency patient transport.

The meeting was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain, State Minister Dr M A Muheet, Prime Minister's Health Affairs Special Assistant Dr S M Ziauddin Haider, Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Buet Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Shariful Islam, Prime Minister's Office Medical Officer Associate Professor Dr Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, Prime Minister's Assistant Private Secretary-1 Dr Mamun Shibli, and other concerned officials.