Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam on Thursday underscored the need for establishing dedicated health centres at major sea beaches to help save lives of tourists in case of emergency.

She made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of the Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh (CIPRB), which operates the Sea-Safe Lifeguard Service in Cox’s Bazar, and donor agency Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) at the ministry.

The minister said amendment to the relevant policies is crucial to ensuring safety of tourists’ lives.

She also instructed the deputy commissioners of Cox’s Bazar and Patuakhali to send proposals to the ministry as soon as possible to construct health centres at the sea beaches there.

State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said initiatives will be taken to increase the number of Tourist Police personnel deployed for tourists’ safety.

He also emphasised increasing the number of lifeguard workers and said corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds will initially be collected to continue the lifeguard service.

Permanent infrastructure should also be developed considering future needs, the state minister added.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhtar and senior officials of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation and the ministry were also present at the meeting.

UK-based donor agency RNLI has been providing financial support for CIPRB for operating lifeguard services at Cox’s Bazar sea beach since 2012.