Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen has emphasized the need to strengthen Bangladesh-UK health sector collaboration, especially on digitization of Bangladesh's health sector, skill development of young doctors, and reintroduction of the Overseas Doctors Training Scheme now known as Medical Training Initiative (MTI).

He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) and different British Royal Colleges.

Health Minister Dr Sen is currently in the UK on an official visit to attend the Conference on “International Response to Antimicrobial Resistance,” organised by the UK Government and the Royal Society.

Minister Andrew Stephenson took note of all the points raised by Minister Sen and assured to help Bangladesh in every way to digitise Bangladesh's health sector which will be mutually beneficial for both the countries, said the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Thursady.

Stephenson also suggested Minister Sen keep the UK Health Department updated when Bangladesh is removed from WHO's red list so that the UK can start recruiting qualified nurses from Bangladesh.

Dr Sen invited Minister Stephenson to visit Bangladesh at the earliest convenience.

Dr Sen met also with the UK's Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP at his House of Commons office on Monday.

They also discussed exploring various avenues to strengthen Bangladesh-UK collaborations in the health sector.

Praising the contributions of Bangladeshi doctors in the NHS, Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting assured his full support to implement the mutually beneficial proposals placed by the Bangladesh Health Minister.

Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque