Saudi Arabia has assured Bangladesh of taking more doctors and health staff for its hospitals as the two countries agreed to work closely in the health sector.
The health ministers of the two countries in a bilateral meeting in Riyadh on Sunday put forward some proposals to work together. They also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this end ‘soon’, the health ministry said in a media release.
The development came during the first official visit of Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim to the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is the largest manpower export destination for Bangladesh with nearly one-fourth of its expatriate workforce working in the oil-rich kingdom.
The health ministry said Nasim’s Saudi counterpart Dr Abdullah Abdulaziz M Al Rabeeah expressed willingness to work together in the health sector for joint “training and research” through collaborations between the medical practitioners of two the countries.
He also wished to recruit more doctors and health professionals from Bangladesh and placated a major concern of recognising Bangladesh’s post-graduate degrees in Saudi hospitals.
The minister solicited the support of the Saudi government for the recognition of Bangladesh medical degrees such as MS, MD and FCPS which would allow Bangladeshi doctors to work in the kingdom “in a better way”.
He also requested his Saudi counterpart to recruit more doctors, nurses and other health professionals from Bangladesh.
Agreeing to consider these proposals from Bangladesh side, the Saudi minister underlined the need for “regular and increased interaction” between health professionals of both the countries to enhance better understanding of the need of health services.
He also proposed to receive doctors for training in Saudi hospitals during their higher studies in Bangladesh.
“This would improve the understanding and collaboration and benefit Bangladeshi doctors to gain experiences who may pursue future career in Saudi Arabia,” the minister was quoted as saying in the media release.
Before the bilateral meeting, Nasim had met the Acting Secretary General of Saudi Commission of Health Specialties who agreed to send their doctors as “external examiners” during MS and MD and other higher degree examinations.
The Secretary General also agreed to visit Bangladesh to see the medical education, training and services facilities.
Saudi minister Dr Abdullah said a ‘massive’ health reform was currently underway in the kingdom for expanding medical services and expressed interest in hiring “qualified graduate nurses”.
Senior officials of both sides including Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Shahidul Islam, Health Secretary MM Neazuddin, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Prof Pran Gopal Datta, and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council President Abu Shafi Ahemd Amin were present during the meeting.
The Saudi minister termed relations between the two countries “time tested and deep rooted” and wished to visit Bangladesh.
He also conveyed the greetings of his King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The health minister appreciated the “noble gesture” of King Abdullah and his government for supporting Bangladesh over the years.
Source: UNBConnect
