Staff Reporter :
Physicians highlighted in a press conference that approximately five billion dollars are spent annually by our citizens for medical treatment abroad.
Efforts are underway to curb this substantial outflow of dollars, as discussed during the Planetary Health Academia (PHA) Global Summit-2024 organized by PHA in the capital on Sunday.
Dr. Bashar M. Atikuzzaman, the Convener of the summit and a Trustee of PHA, emphasized during the summit’s press briefing, “Approximately 5 billion dollars leave the country annually.
It’s our responsibility to prevent such drain.” Developing technology, enhancing doctor training, and introducing new service lines are pivotal to curbing this outflow.
“We are prioritizing healthcare services currently unavailable in the country, necessitating patients to seek treatment abroad. Our aim is to cultivate expertise in specific medical fields to benefit the nation,” he further added.
Dr. Atikuzzaman made these remarks during the press conference held on the concluding day of the main phase of the ‘PHA Global Summit-2024’ at the United Convention Center in the capital.
PHA Chairperson and Trustee Tasbirul Islam, along with Trustees Dr. Nasser Khan, Dr. Md. Zaker Ullah, Dr. Chowdhury H. Ahsan, Dr. Shakeel Farid, and Omar Sharif, were also present.
This marks the first time the PHA Global Summit 2024 has been hosted in the country and also the first international conference of its kind in South Asia.
Over two thousand expert doctors, researchers, educators, and medical students participated in this nine-day conference, with today marking the conclusion of the two-day main phase. Three additional sessions are scheduled over the next two days after the main phase.
Dr. Atikuzzaman emphasized, “Our primary goal at PHA is knowledge and technology transfer, mutual learning, and global collaboration in the age of globalization.”
Reflecting on the summit’s achievements, he stated, “I believe this summit has surpassed our expectations.
Our goal was to enlist 1000 doctors, but we’ve successfully engaged two thousand. It’s a significant achievement.
We aspire to instigate a cultural shift. Though we face limitations, our dreams are vast.
I am committed to realizing those dreams. Our mission is to bridge the knowledge gap to inspire our students to dream. It may take time, but we’re hopeful of success.”
Dr. Tasbirul Islam, Chairperson and Trustee of PHA, questioned the absence of such conferences in South Asia previously.
Preceding the conference, 16 courses were conducted in various healthcare institutions in Dhaka from February 18 to February 23. A two-day post-summit course will also be held on February 26 and 27.
Dr. Islam highlighted the diverse topics covered during the conference, emphasizing, “Today, you’ll witness oncologists, cardiologists, surgeons, and career guidance sessions for students happening concurrently. I’ll verify if such a comprehensive conference exists elsewhere in the world.”
