PM emphasises healthcare innovation, supports locally made medical devices

PM prioritises healthcare innovation, backs Bangladesh-made medical devices

Emphasising the role of research and innovation in strengthening modern healthcare, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday praised the developers of a locally produced ventilator and a high-flow oxygen machine.

At a meeting on the Health Ministry held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat, he assured the developers of the government's full support in completing the required testing, regulatory approvals and commercial production of the two devices.

During the meeting, the developers showcased the performance, capabilities and future plans for the medical equipment, both developed using indigenous technology, according to Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Tarique Rahman said the government is placing the highest priority on research and innovation to advance modern healthcare technologies.

"The government will provide all necessary support for testing, quality certification and production of these medical devices," he said.

Officials informed the meeting that the ventilator and high-flow oxygen machine were developed by two separate teams of experts.

They said the devices could be introduced in hospitals across the country after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and completing clinical trials. The equipment also has strong export potential.

As the devices have been developed locally, they can be manufactured at a lower cost, making advanced medical care more affordable, the officials added.

Experts at the meeting said the ventilator is designed to support critically ill patients suffering from severe respiratory complications. They noted that further extensive testing would be carried out to ensure its safety, effectiveness and compliance with international standards.

They also explained that the high-flow oxygen machine is intended for patients with less severe respiratory conditions. A key feature of the device is its ability to operate without electricity, making it particularly useful in remote areas with unreliable power supplies and for emergency patient transport in ambulances.

The experts said successful production and deployment of the two locally developed devices would significantly reduce Bangladesh's dependence on imported medical technology.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister Dr M A Muhit, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health Dr SM Ziauddin Haider, Health Services Division Secretary Md Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, BUET Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Shariful Islam, the Prime Minister's physician Associate Professor Dr Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, Assistant Private Secretary-1 to the Prime Minister Dr Mamun Shibly and other senior officials attended the meeting.