Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam on Thursday stressed the need for establishing health centres at Cox’s Bazar and Kaukata sea beaches in a bid to ensure the security of tourists.

“It is very important to change the policy concerned to ensure the safety of tourists. Besides, we must also take the initiative to establish health centers on the beaches of Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali to ensure the safety of tourists,” she said.

The Minister made the remarks at a discussion with representatives of Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB), which operates the Sea-Safe Lifeguard Service in Cox’s Bazar, and a charity organisation, ‘Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) at the conference room of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, said a PID handout.

The Minister also directed the Deputy Commissioners of Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali to send proposals soon in this regard to her ministry.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said initiative would be taken to increase the number of tourist police members engaged in the safety of tourists.

It also needs to increase the number of workers providing lifeguard services, he said, adding that permanent infrastructure will have to be built keeping in mind the future.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhtar and senior officials from Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, CIPRB and RNLI were present.

The CIPRB has been operating lifeguard services at the Cox’s Bazar sea beach since 2012 with financial support from the UK-based RNLI.