No corruption to be tolerated in health sector
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said that no form of irregularity or corruption will be tolerated in the health sector, regardless of existing challenges.
He made this remark at the 17th Asia Pharma Expo, at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal in the capital on Sunday.
“There are various crises in the health sector. Everyone’s cooperation is needed to fix them. However, we will not tolerate any corruption. We want everyone’s cooperation to prevent corruption,” the minister said.
The health minister noted that if the country collapses, if systems break down, and if quality medicines cannot be ensured for people, then progress will not be possible.
He mentioned that 33 children have died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in the past 11 days.
It is unfortunate, he said, that despite being minister and secretary, they were unaware of the matter and only came to know through media reports. He emphasised the need to move the country forward with at least minimal commitment.
At the event, Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury said this is not just an exhibition, but a process to advance Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector.
He noted that after independence, Bangladesh could produce only 20% of its domestic medicine demand, while the remaining 80pc depended on imports.
Currently, around 98pc of total demand is met through local production, according to the minister. In addition, Bangladesh is exporting medicines to 157 countries after fulfilling domestic needs.
Director General of the Directorate General of Drug Administration Major General Shameem Haider also spoke at the event. He noted that Bangladeshi medicines are being exported to 122 countries, with the global footprint gradually expanding.
He added that the country’s pharmaceutical industry maintains quality and effectiveness, and will continue efforts to uphold its reputation.
At the same event, President of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries Abdul Muktadir said Bangladesh exports $300 million worth of medicines globally and plays an important role in global drug production.
