Economy
WHO Offers Aid to Bangladesh for Health Sector Development
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh for the capacity building of doctors and other health professionals.
Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region Saima Wazed showed the interest while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban on Friday evening. PM’s Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
“The WHO has expressed interest to extend support, particularly training support for capacity building of doctors and other health professionals of Bangladesh,” he said.
The United Nations agency will work on several issues here in Bangladesh, including climate change related diseases, mental health and assistance to climate vulnerable groups like women, children and persons with disability. Since Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change, where women, children and the persons with disabilities suffer much during any disaster, the WHO will work for the climate vulnerable groups.
Besides, the WHO will support Bangladesh to tackle climate change related diseases, including the diseases caused by air pollution, sound pollution and rise of temperature. In the case of mental health, the organization suggested incorporation of mental health issues like behavioural approach in dealing with patients in all training programmes, education and curriculum of health professionals.
The World Health Organisation will extend support for universal health coverage in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said the WHO is an important development partner of the health sector of Bangladesh. Noting that Bangladesh has attained a significant development in the health sector, she said her government established community clinics throughout the country and the health services and free medicines are provided to women and children from the clinics. So, the child and mother mortality rates have declined significantly, while the average life expectancy has gone up, she added.
Mentioning that the young girls feel shy to talk about breast cancer, the premier stressed the need for early diagnosis of breast cancer. If breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the disease is curable. She said the government is working to introduce a referral system at Upazila and union levels for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The prime minister said Bangladesh is going to assist Bhutan to construct a burn unit there.
She said Bangladesh is going to be a regional hub of health education as a good number of students are already there in Bangladesh from Bhutan, Nepal and India. The government is trying to expand the programme, she added. Sheikh Hasina said the government recruited 25,000 doctors and 15,000 nurses on emergency basis during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PM said the government is going to introduce a licensing examination for private health practitioners. Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen and State Minister for Health Dr Rokeya Sultana, among others, were present.
Earlier, Harvard University’s history professor Sugata Bose paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her residence. During the meeting, they recalled the memories of the 1971 Liberation War and focused on the bonding between the peoples of Bangladesh and India. PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin was present. Sugata Bose is a family member of Subhas Chandra Bose and Sharat Chandra Bose. He is a grandson of Sharat Chandra Bose.
On February 1 last, Saima Wazed assumed charge as Regional Director for World Health Organization South-East Asia Region. Saima Wazed is the first from Bangladesh and the second woman to hold this office.
During the eleventh month of the current fiscal year, the country’s foreign currency reserves have fallen below $19 billion for the first time. After paying off some import bills, the reserves have now stood at $18.26 billion on Sunday.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as of May 8, the total foreign currency reserves of the country were $19.82 billion.
Mohammad Mezbauul Haque, the spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, informed that through the Asian Clearing Union (ACU), the central bank has paid off import bills totaling $1.63 billion over the past two months.
However, Bangladesh Bank maintains that after paying off the import bills, the foreign currency reserves now stand at $23.71 billion.
According to the Central Bank’s accounts, the reserves were $25.27 billion on May 8.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the DSE Brokers Association (DBA) have expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her directive to list government companies in the capital market, a move hailed as timely and positive.
The directive was issued during the recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) last Thursday.
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Hasan Babu, Chairman of DSE, described the directive as a significant step towards enhancing the dynamics of the capital market. He emphasized that besides invigorating the capital market, this move would also attract foreign investment and promote sustainable development.
Despite previous efforts, government institutions had not been listed in the stock exchange, according to a notification issued by the DSE. The Prime Minister’s directive is seen as a pivotal step towards revitalizing and expanding the economy.
Dr. Babu further remarked, “The listing of reputable companies in the capital market, as directed by the Prime Minister, will greatly benefit the country’s economy. It will also enhance investor confidence.”
Similarly, the DBA released a notification applauding the Prime Minister’s directive, terming it as positive and timely for the capital market.
Saiful Islam, President of DBA, expressed optimism about the directive’s potential to accelerate the country’s capital market and overall economy. He pledged support to relevant government departments and regulatory bodies in implementing the directive, ensuring its positive impact on the economy, including the capital market.
India has expressed interest in financing Bangladesh’s Teesta project, announced Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Mahmud stressed the importance of aligning the project with Bangladesh’s needs. He confirmed discussions on the Teesta issue during the meeting. Mahmud also affirmed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to New Delhi, indicating that the finalization of the date would depend on the formation of the new Indian government following ongoing elections.
Meanwhile, the IMF has approved a $1.15 billion staff-level loan for Bangladesh in its third tranche. Mahmud noted the ongoing elections in India and the subsequent formation of the new government as factors influencing the scheduling of PM Hasina’s visit.
When asked about the sequence of visits to India and China, Mahmud suggested Delhi’s geographical proximity to Bangladesh. Diplomatic sources suggest PM Hasina’s visit to India is planned for early July, following India’s elections.
Pre-election surveys indicate strong prospects for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election. Modi previously congratulated PM Hasina on her electoral victory in January, expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two nations.
The last bilateral engagement between the prime ministers occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023. Modi is expected to invite South Asian and BIMSTEC leaders to his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
Addressing border killings, Mahmud emphasized the government’s commitment to ending such incidents and promoting the use of non-lethal weapons by border forces. Discussions also covered enhancing physical and people-to-people connectivity, including cooperation with India to import hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan through India. Mahmud highlighted the need to further ease visa restrictions to strengthen people-to-people relations.
