In a landmark move, Saudi Arabia has greenlit the recruitment of Bangladeshi doctors and nurses, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s healthcare sector. This development heralds the first large-scale recruitment of Bangladesh’s medical professionals by Saudi Arabia, aligning with the bilateral agreement forged in 2022 to bolster healthcare cooperation. As reported by Gulf News, the Bangladesh Medical Association highlights the stark underrepresentation of Bangladeshi doctors among the estimated three million expatriates in Saudi Arabia. The recent policy shift, culminating in the arrival of the inaugural group of healthcare workers in November 2023, aims to bridge this gap. PM Hasina seeks more Saudi investment in Bangladesh Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Essa Al Duhailan, addressed the recruitment delay, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to upholding high standards and underscoring the quality-centric approach of the recruitment process. The initial contingent, consisting of approximately 60 doctors, signifies the beginning of a growing influx of Bangladeshi medical talent. “It is just to encourage the market and see how it goes,” Al Duhailan added, indicating a scalable approach to recruitment. Process of inking cooperation deal on judiciary with Saudi Arabia begins: Law Minister In response to a burgeoning demand for nursing staff, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has initiated recruitment drives in Bangladesh, with plans to deploy over 150 qualified nurses to the Kingdom. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance the provision of medical services to Bangladeshi expatriates and to leverage the extensive pool of professionals graduating from Bangladesh’s over 100 medical institutions, the Gulf News report said The Bangladeshi government has pledged to streamline the placement process, ensuring that nurses find suitable positions in both public and private healthcare facilities across Saudi Arabia. This initiative not only promises new opportunities for Bangladeshi healthcare workers but also aims to elevate the standard of care available to the Bangladeshi diaspora. Saudi company to operate Patenga Container Terminal under deal with CPA This partnership is poised to boost remittances, showcase Bangladesh’s capacity to export highly skilled labor, and fortify bilateral ties between the two countries through a shared commitment to healthcare excellence. End/UNB/MB/KW

South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun has appreciated the sacrifices and devotion of nurses at NIANER  in treating COVID-19 patients risking their own health.  NIANER, National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education & Research in Bangladesh, was established in 2016 with the support of the Korean Government. While visiting NIANER, the envoy said it is playing a crucial role in Bangladesh’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by educating and training qualified nurse leaders. Also read: CSR brings opportunities for businesses: Korean envoy NIANER, first proposed to Korea during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Seoul in 2010, was formally inaugurated in May 2018 in the presence of the  Prime Minister of Bangladesh. 

Four physicians and nine nurses of Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital were sent to home quarantine on Wednesday after a woman undergoing treatment at the hospital tested positive for coronavirus.   According to hospital sources, a pregnant woman from Dhaka got admitted to the hospital on April 14. She was suffering from fever and breathing problem.   Later, samples of the patient were sent to the PCR lab of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on April 18. Test results came out positive on April 21 but the women was discharged from the hospital on April 19 and went to Panchagarh district.   Dr Nadirul Aziz Chapal, supervisor of Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital, said four doctors and nine nurses were sent to home quarantine.   Their samples were taken for coronavirus testing, he said.

Large-scale infection of healthcare professionals can worsen the current situation of the Coronavirus outbreak in Bangladesh, as the country suffers from an acute shortage of such workers, compounded by their maldistribution.    The number of infected health workers has increased manifold alongside the surging overall caseload in Bangladesh.   Around 100 healthcare professionals, including 54 doctors, tested positive for Covid-19 in the country as of April 14, according to Bangladesh Doctors’ Foundation (BDF). This number has likely increased further since then.    BDF founder and Chief Administrator Dr Nirupam Das said two doctors are undergoing treatment in ICUs while one has died so far.   Most of the doctors infected were in Dhaka and Narayanganj—two major clusters of community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes Covid-19.   Dr Nirupam also said more than 300 healthcare professionals are currently in home-quarantine.    The figures on April 14 marked a threefold rise in the number of infected healthcare professionals in just a few days.