Malaysia envoy, health minister discuss expanding healthcare cooperation

Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman and Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain have discussed ways to strengthen mutual cooperation, particularly in the healthcare sector.

The discussion took place on Tuesday during a meeting held at the minister’s office at the Secretariat.

Highlighting Malaysia’s progress in medical services, the High Commissioner said patients from Cambodia, who previously travelled to Thailand for treatment, are now increasingly choosing Malaysia. 

He added, Malaysia could also be a good destination for Bangladeshi patients and noted that Bangladeshis interested in seeking treatment there could receive assistance through the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC).

Appreciating Malaysia’s advances in healthcare, the Health Minister said Bangladesh has also made significant progress in some areas. 

He suggested that Bangladeshi specialist doctors could be provided training in Malaysia in kidney transplantation, liver transplantation and bone marrow transplantation, among other fields. 

Sakhawat Hossain also discussed the possibility of undertaking joint initiatives in different areas of healthcare and said a memorandum of understanding could be signed if necessary.

The Malaysian High Commissioner said some Malaysian students are studying MBBS and MDS programmes in Bangladesh, as well as at Bangladesh Agricultural University.

The health minister assured him of all possible assistance to Malaysian students when needed.

The High Commissioner also said that the costs of medical treatment and medicines in Malaysia are displayed publicly and that treatment costs are lower than in many other countries.

Sakhawat Hossain said Bangladeshi patients would travel to Malaysia if they received quality healthcare services, adding that many people known to him had already sought treatment there.

The Malaysian High Commissioner invited the health minister to visit Malaysia. 

Sakhawat Hossain said he would make the visit at a convenient time.