Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday assured full government support for the testing, quality verification and commercial production of a locally developed ventilator and high-flow oxygen machine.
He said research and innovation in healthcare were among the government’s highest priorities and assured the researchers of all necessary assistance to prepare the devices for practical use.
“The government is attaching the highest priority to research and innovation in healthcare. We will provide all necessary support for testing, quality verification and commercial production of these locally developed medical devices,” the prime minister said.
He made the remarks during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.
The prime minister praised the experts and researchers who developed the two devices using local technology and assured them of support in completing the required testing and regulatory procedures.
During the meeting, the researchers presented the effectiveness, potential and future development plans of the devices.
Two separate teams of specialists developed the ventilator and the high-flow oxygen machine, the meeting was told.
Officials said the devices could be introduced in hospitals across the country after securing regulatory approval and completing clinical trials. They could also have export potential in international markets.
As the machines were developed locally, they are expected to be manufactured and marketed at comparatively lower costs, making advanced healthcare services more affordable for patients, officials said.
The researchers said commercial production and widespread use of the devices would also help reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported medical technology.
The ventilator is designed for critically ill patients with severe respiratory complications. It will undergo further testing and evaluation to ensure its safety, effectiveness and compliance with international standards.
The high-flow oxygen machine is intended for patients with common respiratory problems. It can operate without electricity, making it suitable for remote areas with limited power supplies and for use in ambulances during emergency patient transport.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain along with high officials attended the meeting.
