Greater collaboration between Bangladesh and China in the medical sector can significantly strengthen Bangladesh’s healthcare capacity, said Cosmos Health Founder and CEO Nahar Khan.
She made the remarks at a forum titled “Bilateral Collaboration in the Medical Sector,” held as part of the event 2025 China-Bangladesh Symposium on Healthcare and Education Cooperation organised by Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh in cooperation with Chinese Medical Alumni Association of Bangladesh and Bangladesh China Postgraduate Doctors Alumni Association.
The session was hosted by Prof. Bulbul Ashraf Siddiqi, Local Director of the Confucius Institute at North South University. Speakers included Brigadier General Md Munirul Islam, Director General of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP); Dr. Md Ashraful Alam, Deputy Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH); Prof. Dr. Abdullah Shahriar, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialist at Bangladesh Medical University Hospital; Prof. Dr. M.A. Shakoor; and Chinese experts including Jack Zhang, Co-founder and General Manager of Damiang Medical Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., and Dr. Guo Yulong.
During the panel discussion, Khan highlighted the role of the private sector in strengthening China–Bangladesh medical collaboration, noting that Cosmos Health is actively working to advance new dimensions of cooperation.
“As we celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations, education and health stand at the heart of people-to-people connectivity between our countries,” she said. She expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Embassy and co-organisers for arranging what she described as a “timely and meaningful” symposium.
Khan noted that China has long been “a tried-and-tested partner” for Bangladesh across multiple sectors, including healthcare. She pointed out that China is consistently among the top sources of foreign medical graduates practicing in Bangladesh, and has supported Bangladesh in times of crisis—from the COVID-19 pandemic to emergency medical deployments.
She shared her vision to contribute to a more modern, efficient, and accessible health system in Bangladesh. “Healthcare is one of our fastest-growing verticals, and our goal is to support Bangladesh’s ongoing evolution toward better technology, better training, and better patient outcomes,” she added.
She also shared her own experience as a patient in Beijing, where she received treatment and developed a strong interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
“I am a firm believer in TCM, especially acupuncture. Cosmos Health is now working to establish a TCM training centre and treatment facility in Bangladesh,” she said. She noted that Bangladeshi culture already has a natural affinity for traditional medicine, and that China can play a transformative role in modernising this field.
Khan also emphasised the sophistication and efficacy of Chinese herbal formulations, citing an example of a medicine she uses to treat common colds.
Calling the present moment an “opportune time” for expanding healthcare cooperation, she said the Bangladeshi healthcare market is projected to grow to USD 23 billion by 2030–2032, creating new opportunities for investment, innovation, and partnerships.
Bangladesh will also need to train over 400,000 healthcare professionals to meet WHO recommended doctor–patient and nurse–patient ratios, she noted, adding that Chinese institutions can significantly contribute to capacity building, knowledge transfer, and skills development.
Expressing optimism, she said she hopes to contribute “a small and humble part” to the development of the healthcare and education sectors.
Li Shaopeng, Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh, attended the event as chief guest. Medical professionals, educationists, respected professors, leaders of the Bangladesh China Postgraduate Doctors Alumni Association and the Chinese Medical Alumni Association of Bangladesh, partners, media representatives, and other guests were also present.
The symposium, a special initiative of the Chinese Embassy, aims to strengthen medical and educational exchange between the two friendly nations. The 2025 China–Bangladesh Symposium on Healthcare and Education comprised both a seminar and a conference, and featured four forums focusing on education, medical challenges, and opportunities for bilateral collaboration.