Bangladesh, Pakistan discuss health cooperation, organ transplant training
DHAKA, Sept 28: Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider on Monday met Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Shakawat Husain and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in the health sector, including organ transplantation, pharmaceuticals and capacity building of medical professionals.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed finalising a proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on health cooperation, according to information shared by the Pakistani High Commission.
Haider briefed the minister on proposals to establish collaboration between Bangladesh’s health sector and Pakistan’s leading medical institutions, including the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre (PKLI&RC) and the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), particularly in organ transplantation.
PKLI&RC is a specialised medical centre in Lahore offering kidney and liver transplantation as well as training and research facilities.
The high commissioner said GIMS has offered to train Bangladeshi doctors in liver transplantation and subsequently support them during transplant surgeries in Bangladesh.
The Pakistani side also proposed providing post-procedure support through telemedicine, potentially allowing specialists in Pakistan to assist Bangladeshi medical professionals in follow-up care.
The meeting also covered expanding bilateral trade in surgical equipment and pharmaceutical products.
Husain said Bangladesh could increase exports of vaccines and cancer medicines to Pakistan, while inviting Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh's healthcare sector.
The discussions come amid broader efforts to expand Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation in health, medical education and healthcare-related trade.
