Why do patients go abroad despite so many brilliant doctors at home: Health Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has raised the question of why patients have to go to India, Thailand and other countries for treatment when there are so many brilliant doctors in the country. He remarked that if modern technology, necessary facilities and training for doctors can be ensured, the country's doctors themselves are capable of providing advanced medical care.

The Health Minister made these remarks at a scientific seminar organised at the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Unit of Dhaka Medical College in the capital on Sunday, September 20, marking Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month.

Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said trust in the country's healthcare system must be increased to reduce the tendency to go abroad for treatment. This will reduce patients' tendency to travel abroad on one hand and save the country's foreign currency on the other. For this, public awareness activities need to be further strengthened at the district and village levels as well.

He also said initiatives will be taken to install necessary modern equipment at the Infertility Centre of Dhaka Medical College to ensure modern facilities for infertility treatment. Stating that maximum efforts will be made to implement this initiative in the next budget, the minister said emphasis must also be placed on training to create skilled doctors.

He said infertility treatment is also an important part of healthcare. When a couple cannot have children, they are often subjected to social ridicule and harassment. If the problem can be solved through treatment, there is no reason to lag behind in this regard. The country's doctors have the capability to treat infertility, and patients will be encouraged to seek this treatment within the country.

Noting that the number of hospital beds is low compared to the country's population, he said it is not enough to just increase the number of beds; the scope of healthcare must also be expanded. At the same time, ensuring modern medical equipment and skilled manpower is urgent.

The seminar was presided over by Professor Dr Musarrat Sultana. Special guests included Secretary of the Health Services Division Dr A N M Bazlur Rashid, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Dr Prabhat Chandra Bishwas, Principal of Dhaka Medical College Dr Md Mazharul Shaheen and Director Brigadier General AKM Farhad Hossain. Assistant Professor Dr Uma Nag Shampa presented the keynote paper at the seminar.