Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said the nurses of Bangladesh are practically very efficient and skilful, but when they go abroad for higher education or to work in foreign countries, they face problems that act as major barriers for students who want to go abroad.
"We have a historical relationship with the UK politically and commercially. Many Bangladeshi-origin people are serving the British economy. Those who are serving the health sectors, are very efficient and practically skillful," he said, while speaking at a seminar titled ‘Higher Education and career prospects of Bangladeshi Nurses in UK’ was held at the auditorium of British Council.
To increase the bonding and efficiency of the nurses of Bangladesh, an agreement was signed between the International Nursing college, Bangladesh, and University of Salford, UK.
The foreign minister joined the seminar as the chief guest.
Nancy Cooke, Director of International Development at the University of Salford delivered a speech, while Prof. Gulshan Ara Biswas, principal of International Nursing College presented the overall situation and scopes of nursing education and profession in Bangladesh.
Prof. Gulshan Ara Biswas said, “We are trying to provide the best education to our students. It is expected that we will be able to offer Ph.D. degrees to the Bangladeshi nursing students for the first time in this country. To develop the quality of our education, we have already started a teacher’s training program in our college with the collaboration of international teachers.”
The foreign minister said doctors who obtained their MBBS in Bangladesh are serving with distinction in the ongoing critical situation, which is an acknowledgement of Bangladeshi healthcare education system.
“But when our professionals or students go to the UK for education or professional purposes, they suffer from communication problems as British English is different from other English pronunciation. For the nursing students who want to go to the UK, it can be a good option to learn British English from the British Council,” he added.
Urging the authorities to develop the quality of nursing education in Bangladesh, he said the quality of health services is directly tied to the quality of nursing.
"Good hospital means good nurse services. It is a noble profession. Doctors do the patient's operation but nurses help patients survive.”