Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum said on Saturday that the healthcare system in the country has become overly focused on treatment.
She emphasised the importance of implementing preventive measures to avoid diseases and urged the creation of awareness among the public.
Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of a scientific seminar organised by the Society of Neurologists of Bangladesh on the occasion of World Movement Disorder Day at the National Institute of Neurosciences on Saturday, the Adviser stressed the need for more emphasis on preventive healthcare.
She, however, expressed her pride in the healthcare system, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when doctors, nurses, and technologists managed to provide medical care within the country without anyone having to go abroad.
"If they can handle such a major crisis, I believe they will be able to manage other future disasters as well," she added.
Regarding the training of doctors, the Health Adviser expressed her desire for doctors to have access to extensive training in the country.
She mentioned that she has seen in ministry meeting minutes that short training programmes, such as those lasting two to three days, are not sufficient for doctors to gain meaningful expertise.
"Training should last longer, at least a week or two," she suggested.
Nurjahan Begum also raised concerns about doctors who have gone abroad for training and never returned, causing significant financial loss to the country.
"I have a list of over 40 doctors who have gone abroad and never returned despite multiple letters being sent to them. As a poor country, we cannot afford such waste. We need to ensure that doctors who go abroad for training come back and contribute to our healthcare system," she said.
The Health Adviser also highlighted the need for domestic research on dementia and movement disorders, stressing the importance of conducting such studies within the country.
The inaugural session was chaired by Prof Dr MA Hannan, Convener of the Society of Neurologists of Bangladesh, and was attended by Prof Dr Abu Zafar, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, Prof Dr Kazi Din Mohammad, Director of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Dr Mohammad Nazmul Huda, General Secretary of the Society of Neurologists of Bangladesh.
