PM prioritises healthcare innovation, backs Bangladesh-made medical devices

Stressing the importance of research and innovation in advancing modern healthcare technologies, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday praised the developers of a locally built ventilator and a high-flow oxygen machine.

During a meeting of the Health Ministry at the Prime Minister's Office at the Secretariat, he also assured them of the government's full support to complete the necessary testing, approvals and commercial production of the two medical devices.

At the meeting, the developers presented the performance, capabilities and future plans for the two medical devices both developed using local technology, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Tarique Rahman said the government is giving the highest priority to research and innovation to advance modern healthcare technologies. "The government will extend all necessary support for testing, quality certification and production of these medical devices."

Officials at the meeting said the ventilator and the high-flow oxygen machine were developed by two teams of experts.

Once the required regulatory approvals and clinical trials are completed, the devices could be introduced at hospitals across the country and also have the potential to be exported to international markets, they said.

As the equipment has been developed locally it can be manufactured at a comparatively lower cost, making advanced healthcare more affordable, they added.

Experts participating in the meeting said the ventilator is a life-saving device designed for critically ill patients suffering from severe respiratory problems.

They noted that further extensive testing would be carried out to ensure its safety, effectiveness and compliance with international standards.

The experts also said the high-flow oxygen machine is intended for patients with less severe respiratory conditions.

One of its key features is that it can operate without an electricity supply, making it suitable for use in remote areas without reliable power and during emergency patient transport in ambulances.

They also said successful production and use of the two locally developed medical devices would help reduce Bangladesh's dependence on imported medical technology.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr M A Muhit, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Dr SM Ziauddin Haider, Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, BUET Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Shariful Islam, the Prime Minister's physician Associate Professor Dr Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, Assistant Private Secretary-1 to the Prime Minister Dr Mamun Shibly and other officials attended the meeting.