Diplomatic Desk:
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has outlined four key priorities to further strengthen cooperation in the health sector with Asian countries, including China. These priorities are: pharmaceuticals and health technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health, healthy aging, and vaccines and health security.
The Minister highlighted these priorities while addressing the BFA Global Health Forum 2026 Haikou Conference, held today, Wednesday (September 16, 2026), in Haikou, China.
The Minister noted that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry holds a strong position, with medicines being exported to approximately 160 countries. Bangladesh is keen to collaborate with China on API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) production, technology transfer, research, and the development of smart health infrastructure, alongside facilitating market access for Bangladeshi medicines in China.
Regarding AI and digital health, he mentioned the immense potential of modern technology in areas such as disease diagnosis, treatment, and medical education, as well as in oncology, precision medicine, robotic surgery, chronic disease management, and remote patient monitoring. He urged technology companies to establish partnerships in Bangladesh in these fields.
Speaking on healthy aging, the Minister observed that the elderly population in Asia is growing rapidly. Therefore, regional cooperation is essential to develop rehabilitation services, assistive technologies, geriatric care, and elderly-friendly health systems. Similarly, joint initiatives among nations are required to ensure vaccine research, production, technology transfer, and stable supply chains.
The Minister stated, “The future of Asia’s health sector depends on how effectively we cooperate, innovate, and share responsibilities moving forward.” He called for further strengthening regional cooperation to advance Asia’s health sector.
Senior officials from China, Laos, Egypt, and the World Health Organization—including Leung Chun-ying, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and fourth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region—participated in the conference.
