WHO DG praises Bangladesh for improved healthcare services

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of World Health Organization, has praised Bangladesh for successfully expanding its healthcare services to rural and remote areas.

Speaking with Bangladesh Health Minister Mohammed Nasim in Geneva on Monday, he also appreciated the success of community clinics in providing rural people access to healthcare, calling Bangladesh “an example” in ensuring health coverage to grass roots population.

The meeting took place at Place des Nations in the Swiss capital.

Ghebreyesus further said Bangladesh had proven how far its healthcare system had progressed by ensuring health services to more than one million Rohingya refugees currently residing within its territory.

He also praised Bangladesh's success in vaccination campaign across the country.

WHO will support Bangladesh in continuing its journey to ensure healthcare services to its citizens, the WHO chief said.

In response, the health minister said Bangladesh is now producing vaccines of international standards and urged the WHO director general for international recognition.

He also invited Ghebreyesus to visit Bangladesh. The WHO chief responded in the positive, adding that he wished to see the community clinics.

The meeting was also attended by Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director of WHO South-East Asia region, Shameem Ahsan, ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, Health Secretary Sirajul Haque Khan, Additional Secretary Habibur Rahman Khan, and other delegates from Bangladesh.

Earlier on Sunday, the health minister, at an event on mental health, said Bangladesh had prioritized providing assistance to the Rohingya refugees to recover from the mental trauma they had suffered due to experiencing extreme violence in Myanmar.

He also said the Bangladesh government had taken initiative to educate healthcare services providers on mental health.

The event was organized by Canadian Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor to coordinate among the countries who have succeeded in providing mental health assistance.

At the event, Nasim said Bangladesh would soon pass a law regarding mental health.