Bangladesh has become self-reliant in heart disease treatment: PM

He said, 'Bangladesh is now almost self-sufficient in the treatment of heart disease. There is 95 to 98 percent treatment capacity for heart disease and for this purpose the country has skilled manpower, modern technology and necessary equipment.'

The Prime Minister said this in a pre-recorded video message broadcast at the third scientific conference organized by 'Bangladesh Cardiovascular Research Foundation' at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital today.

Referring to the death of 17.9 million people in the world due to heart disease every year, he said that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world.

Sheikh Hasina said the death rate due to heart disease in Bangladesh is about 27 percent and where 10 children per thousand are suffering from heart disease and one in five youths are at risk of heart disease.
The prime minister said that the number of patients suffering from heart disease has increased due to diet, lack of physical exercise, smoking and diabetes.

He said, 'In addition to improving the treatment facilities for heart patients, we have to focus on preventive measures.'

Summarizing the steps taken by his government in the overall development of the health sector, he said that despite various limitations, significant progress has been made in the health sector in the last 14 years.

The Prime Minister said that 11 post-graduate 'super specialty hospitals', cardiovascular hospitals, chest hospitals, cancer hospitals, neuroscience hospitals and other hospitals have been constructed so far, and more than 600 hospitals have been constructed across the country.

He said, 'We have established 18,500 community clinics and union health centers to ensure basic health care for the people of the villages. Thirty types of medicines are being distributed free from the hospital.'
The Chief Minister said that tele-medicine services have been introduced in 43 hospitals across the country, where there are 30,000 satellite clinics to ensure healthcare for mothers and children.

Besides, there are 103 service centers to provide free treatment to five lakh autistic children, he said.
He said, 'World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Bangladesh polio and tetanus free as a result of our tireless efforts.'

The Prime Minister said that his government has planned to build one medical college in each district. He said the number of medical colleges now stands at 115 from 50 in 2009 and the number of seats in medical colleges now stands at 10,789 as against only 2050 in 2009.

Sheikh Hasina said that the number of dental medical colleges and units has increased to 37, which was only 13 in 2009.
The Prime Minister said that his government will build one medical university in each department and four medical universities have already been set up.

He said his government had recruited 10,000 doctors and 15,000 nurses and midwives in the last three years.
The head of government said, 'Our medical system has greatly improved and the skills of doctors have also increased. Diseases which earlier had to be treated abroad are now being treated in the country.'
He said, various complex diseases like kidney, liver, bypass, neuro surgery and bone-marrow transplant are now being successfully treated in Bangladesh.

The cardiologists and doctors of the country are now successfully treating heart disease which is benefiting the people and thereby saving the country huge foreign exchange.

Sheikh Hasina said that work is underway to establish a complete cardiac unit for the treatment of children suffering from heart disease.
The Prime Minister said there is an opportunity to produce more skilled cardiologists by building a complete cardiology and cardiac surgery unit at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

He said that a world-class Cardiovascular Institute of Science and Research with 500 beds has been established in BSMMU.

The Prime Minister said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid the foundation of the country's health sector on the basis of which the country's health system is currently running.

He said, Bangabandhu established IPGMR and Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons to impart higher training to doctors at post-graduate level to produce specialists of international standard.
The Chief Minister said, "Our government converted IPGMR into Bangabandhu Medical University Hospital during 1996-2001."

Minister of Liberation War A. K. M. Mozammel Haque MP, President of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA). Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, scientific committee advisor professor Dr. ABM Abdullah and International Academy Course Chairman Dr. Rajesh M Dave spoke on the occasion.

President of Bangladesh Cardiovascular Research Foundation Professor Dr. SM Mustafa Zaman presided over the function.