Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday sought greater collaboration with the United Kingdom in strengthening Bangladesh’s healthcare system.

The issue was discussed during a meeting with UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Baroness Rosie Winterton, held at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Regarding the timing of the next general election, the Chief Adviser reiterated that if political parties agree on a shorter reform process, elections could take place in December, according to Chief Adviser’s press wing.

“But if a more extensive reform path is chosen, the election can be held by June,” he added.

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Highlighting Bangladesh’s pressing need for a skilled healthcare workforce, Prof Yunus said, “We currently have a shortage of nurses. But nursing is not just a national concern—it’s a global necessity. We want to train more nurses not only for Bangladesh but also for the world.”

The Chief Adviser invited UK support to strengthen Bangladesh’s under-resourced health sector and noted that the government-run health programmes are nearly non-functional.

“This is where the UK can play a vital role. Another promising area is pharmaceuticals. We urge you to support global access to vaccines by advocating for lifting patent protections so that every country can produce them affordably under a social business model,” he said.

During the meeting, both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, with Baroness Winterton acknowledging the "long and trusted history" between the two nations.

“We have a long history together, and we are pleased to see the direction of reforms being undertaken,” she said.

Prof Yunus said the country is passing through a transformative moment. “It’s a very critical time for us. We are focused on rebuilding institutions and reshaping priorities,” he said.

The two sides also discussed broader areas of strategic cooperation, including education, the textile industry, defence, and aviation.

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Prof Yunus said, “We welcome UK support in improving our education system, modernising our textile sector, and exploring new areas of collaboration in defence and aviation.”

Both leaders expressed interest in greater training, technology exchange, and long-term partnerships across these sectors.

Emphasising the government’s focus on gender equality, Professor Yunus added, “We always prioritise women's participation in every sector. Empowering women is central to our development strategy.”

Baroness Winterton expressed the UK government’s support for the current reform agenda. She also held meetings with Ali Riaz, who heads Bangladesh’s constitutional reform initiative.

BIDA Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed attended the meeting.