In Tokyo Seminar, Zubaida Rahman Calls on Japanese Foundation to Expand Health-Sector Cooperation

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of the prime minister and vice-chairman of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, has called on Japan's Sasakawa Peace Foundation to expand cooperation in Bangladesh's healthcare sector.

She made the call in a speech at a health seminar organised by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday afternoon, 27 October, local time.

Yohei Sasakawa, honorary chairman of the Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, was present at the seminar along with distinguished figures from both countries.

Dr Zubaida Rahman said there is an opportunity to tackle the health sector's new challenges by drawing on the experience, knowledge and capacity of the two countries, and that health diplomacy can play an important role in ensuring health for all.

She said Bangladesh's current government gives the highest priority to healthcare, education and social protection, and has taken various steps to ensure affordable healthcare for all, raise the quality of public healthcare, recruit new health workers and expand health and education opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

The government is also working to improve people's living standards through employment-oriented education, expanded study opportunities for disadvantaged students, family-based social assistance and the introduction of a 'Family Card', she noted.

Stressing the importance of ensuring people's physical and mental well-being, she said the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Japan continues to develop.

Emphasising children's healthy upbringing, she said both countries are committed to ensuring children's proper development, which requires a sustainable social system, a strong economy, quality education and protection of people from violence and poverty.

She said that alongside government initiatives, the contribution of non-governmental organisations, international institutions, voluntary organisations and welfare foundations is important to improving maternal and child health in Bangladesh.

Drawing on her professional experience as a physician in Bangladesh, Zubaida Rahman said Bangladesh has enormous potential in implementing suitable health policy, advancing health research and building modern medical institutions.