New Delhi. An Indian delegation led by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Hon’ble Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad called on the Health Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Prof. A.F.M. Ruhal Haque for bilateral discussion on health related issues in Dhaka today. Discussions were carried out in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. Both the leaders recounted the very successful recent visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India. The discussions between the two Ministers touched upon the entire gamut of health and family welfare matters of mutual concern and interest.

It was felt that, considering that the two countries have similar health related issues, a Memorandum of Understanding covering health related issues on which there can be mutual sharing of expertise, knowledge and information will be signed. Both the sides agreed that there is a need to ensure better cooperation for the containment of cross border transmission of communicable diseases. It was decided that, not only India and Bangladesh, but also Pakistan and Afghanistan would try and have common immunization days to ensure that the population on both side of the border are adequately covered. The Indian Minister offered to help Bangladesh in developing super specialty skills by tying up with centres of excellence in India. The Indian Minister informed hid Bangladeshi counterpart of the various steps initiated by his Ministry since the time of his taking over charge. The Bangladesh side was keen to learn from the expertise gained by India on curbing of influenza pandemic. Mr. Azad offered experts from Bangladesh to visit the testing centres developed by India. The introduction of a new curriculum for rural medical practitioners in India also evoked interest.

The Indian Health Minister invited Prof. Haque to India to take the discussion forward. This was accepted by Prof. Haque.