The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad yesterday called for innovative ideas in health sector to improve the primary healthcare in the country.

"We would appreciate new ideas and initiatives help improve overall health sector in Bangladesh," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the launching of telemedicine for diabetes treatment in city on Tuesday.

Telemedicine, a concept of linking between doctors and patients through mobile phone, was introduced in Bangladesh a decade ago, but much has not been done during the period. The concept has, however, drawn attention after the present government focuses on ICT in line with the "Digital Bangladesh' principle.

Private sector entrepreneurs said the treatment of diabetic patients using mobile phone technology would be a handy solution for many sufferers of diabetes, a non-communicable disease that has already turned to an epidemic form in the country.

The risk factors for diabetes are attributed to heredity, diet, obesity, viral infection, emotional stress and smoking in Bangladesh, where over 90 percent suffer from the manageable Type-2 diabetes.

They said the new programme- diabetes home monitoring- would help people to get their treatment at home through consultation to doctors over phone via a call center, run by private sector initiative.

Abul Kalam welcomed the new initiative in Bangladesh and said the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would always appreciate new ideas to turn Bangladesh digital by 2021, which coincides with the golden jubilee of the country since independence in 1971.

"We are giving incentives to a number of youth initiatives to change the country and the fate of its poor people living in the rural areas," he said adding that the concept of telemedicine might be incorporated in the new health policy. He also urged the development partners to help Bangladesh change its status through the application of information and communication technology (ICT).

Chaired by national professor MR Khan, the function was addressed by acting deputy chief of the US Embassy in Dhaka Jon Danilowicz, president of Bangladesh Diabetic Association Prof. AK Azad Khan and managing director of Telemedicine Reference Centre Ltd. Dr. Sikder M. Zakir.