ED: We need more world-class hospitals

Like no other event in recent memory, the pandemic has made clear just how fragile a state we are in when it comes to health care. We have been hit with shortages of all kinds -- shortages of ICU beds, shortages of oxygen, shortages of vaccine doses. These are, of course, complex problems that will not be solved overnight, but it goes without saying that we need to prioritize better hospital facilities if we are to fend off a catastrophic loss of life.

First of all, health care should not only be for the rich. It is important that those in lower income groups have easy access to treatment, but all too often, they are put through many hurdles in public hospitals. During this pandemic, especially early on, we have seen families plunged into crisis when health care institutions could not or would not admit Covid-19 patients, either due to a lack of resources, or simply out of fear. Many perished for lack of adequate care. Such loss of life is all the more tragic, because those deaths could have been prevented if a robust health care system were in place.

Recently, entrepreneurs from Turkey and China have proposed to set up quality hospitals in the country, and it is worth considering such proposals. In fact, as the business and medical communities have suggested, investors from other countries, like Japan and the UK, can also be approached to set up world-class hospitals in Bangladesh. If we can make that a reality, people will not need to look to foreign shores in times of medical emergencies -- the best possible treatment and care will be available right here at home.