Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday sought cooperation from the World Heart Federation (WHF) to carry out basic research on medical science and to build skilled manpower in the health sector of the country. “Help us in conducting basic research on the medical science and give state-of-the-art training for the development of our manpower,” she said when WHF president-elect Dr Jagat Narula paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban. PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting. Describing basic research as vital for the overall development of the country, Hasina said her government is laying greater importance on research on medical science for improving the healthcare sector. Referring to the research in the agriculture sector being carried out during her government, she said Bangladesh has attained food security by enhancing crops, milk, meat and fish production. “Research is mainly behind Bangladesh’s success in the agricultural sector, including attaining food security,” she was quoted. Focusing on the government’s measures for the health sector, the PM said her government’s main target is to reach healthcare services to the doorsteps. Read: PM gives directives to carry out different activities of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust She said her government has constructed 18,000 community clinics where 30 types of free medicines are available. The PM said her government has already established five medical universities in divisional headquarters as part of its plan to set up a medical university in every division to impart high education and research in medical science. She said many specialised hospitals have been built in public and private sectors at her government initiatives to treat heart, kidney and cancer patients, adding that they have a target to build specialised hospitals in every region. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has attained great success in the pharmaceutical sector as it is currently producing all the life-saving medicines and exporting them abroad. WHF President-elect Jagat Narula highly praised the health sector development of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Hasina, describing the advancement as “impressive progress.” He said Bangladesh has plenty of talented physicians who need appropriate training and assistance to boost their efficiency. “I am going to take over the charge of WHF in January next and have a target to work first with Bangladesh, India and Mongolia on heart diseases,” said the renowned cardiology specialist. Read: PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stones of 34 projects in Chattogram Sunday Dr Narula stressed the need for making aware the mothers about the non-communicable diseases as it helps to reach its benefit at grassroots quickly, At the meeting, it was informed that non-communicable diseases account for about 50 percent deaths in Bangladesh, of which heart diseases are responsible for 17 percent deaths. Director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Professor Mir Jamal Uddin informed the meeting that the Prime Minister donated the institute Tk 7 crore from her relief and welfare fund to help procure valves, stents and pacemakers for poor and insolvent heart patients. As many as 300 Valves, 450 stents and 250 pacemakers have so far been set up in the hearts of the patients, he said. President of Bangladesh Society for Cardiovascular Intervention Prof Dr AKM Fazlur Rahman, National Professor Prof Brig. (retd) Abdul Malik, US expatriate Prof Chowdhury Hafiz Ahsan, Prof MG Azam and Prof Fazila-Tun-Nesa Malik, PMO Senior Secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the meeting.