Diplomatic Correspondent: Bangladesh and Pakistan have explored expanding cooperation in the health sector, with a particular focus on organ transplantation, pharmaceuticals, medical training and investment.

The discussions were held when Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider called on Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Shakawat Husain on Monday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed finalising a proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on health cooperation, along with opportunities for collaboration in pharmaceuticals and capacity building of health professionals.

The Pakistani envoy briefed the minister on proposals for cooperation between Bangladesh’s health sector and two leading Pakistani medical institutions—the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre (PKLI&RC) and the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS)—particularly in the field of organ transplantation.

According to the proposals, GIMS has offered to train Bangladeshi doctors in liver transplantation and subsequently support them during transplant surgeries conducted in Bangladesh.

The Pakistani institution has also offered to provide post-procedure medical support through telemedicine, potentially enabling Bangladeshi medical teams to receive specialised guidance after transplantation procedures.

The discussions also covered the scope for increasing bilateral trade in surgical equipment and pharmaceutical products.

Minister Shakawat Husain said Bangladesh could further expand exports of vaccines and cancer medicines to Pakistan, pointing to opportunities for greater two-way trade in healthcare products.

He also invited Pakistani entrepreneurs to explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s growing health sector.

The proposed cooperation reflects a broader effort to strengthen professional and institutional links between the two countries in healthcare, while creating opportunities for technology transfer, specialised medical training and trade in health-related products.

If implemented, cooperation with Pakistani medical institutions could provide Bangladeshi health professionals with additional opportunities for specialised training in complex procedures such as liver transplantation, while telemedicine support could facilitate knowledge-sharing between specialists in the two countries.

The meeting also highlighted the potential for health-sector cooperation to move beyond government-to-government engagement towards greater institutional, professional and commercial collaboration between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The discussions are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to finalise the proposed health-sector MoU and identify practical areas of cooperation in medical education, organ transplantation, pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and healthcare investment.