The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Medical Service Limited (JBFMSL) has launched its Tele Video Health Service "Tele Health 10600 and Farmer-Health Service 10601" for the general people and farmers of the country.

Agriculture Adviser to the caretaker government CS Karim inaugurated the service at a function held at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

Brig Gen (Retd) MA Malek, special assistant to the chief adviser, Iqbal Mahmud, secretary, telecommunication ministry, Maj Gen (Retd) Monzurul Alam, chairman of Bangladesh Tele-Communication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Shaikh Siraj, Director of Channel-I, Dr Junaid Shafik, Chairman of JBFMSL and its Managing Director Dr Sardar A Nayeem addressed the function. Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officials of different mobile operator companies were also present on the occasion.

People can receive the health service (health tips and counselling) by dialling to 10600 and any farmers can take the service by dialling to 10601 from any telephone or mobile set.

The company established a tele-health call centre in front of Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital in the city, where 75 doctors are deployed for providing the health service over telephone and cellphone.

Besides, the company plans to set up 500 video tele-health consultant booths in surrounding areas of the Dhaka city in the next three months.

Earlier, the company signed an agreement with PSTN and mobile phone operator companies of the country.

CS Karim emphasised on the health security for the farmers of the country, saying that if they don't maintain good health, food production would be declined.

Lauding the health tips and counselling service for farmers introduced by Japan-Bangladesh friendship Medical Service Limited, the adviser said government would provide financial assistance to the company for the service.

He also urged other private companies to come forward to introduce such service for the farmers and added if the good health of the farmers can be ensured, the country will be able to have food security and overcome food crisis.

MA Malek said it's a constitutional right of the farmer to get health services.

Shaikh Siraj said the government's health services to the farmers, who ensure the food security of the country, is not enough.

He said many farmers have been suffering for a long time only due to lack of counselling and health tips. The food crisis leads to political, social and economic problem, he added.