Dhaka, Sep 16 (V7N) – Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has said that Health Advisor Nurjahan Begum, who has been suffering from cancer for a long time, has returned to Singapore to continue her treatment.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the Matri House and Health Center under the Urban Healthcare Project at the Secretariat on Tuesday (Sept 16).

Asif Mahmud stressed that the country’s healthcare system should be strengthened so that people no longer need to seek medical treatment abroad. “Earlier, we were overly dependent on one country for treatment. Now, with the help of China, high-quality hospitals are being built in Bangladesh,” he said.

Addressing challenges in the health sector, the Advisor noted the shortage of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, calling it a major obstacle. He said the government has already decided, in a meeting of the Advisory Council, to recruit doctors through a special BCS exam to help ease the crisis.

He also highlighted the reluctance of many doctors to work in remote areas due to poor facilities, saying the Local Government Division and the Ministry of Health are jointly working to address the issue.

On dengue prevention, he said efforts are underway to curb transmission through multi-pronged initiatives, and urged citizens to remain vigilant.

END/SMA/AJ