British Council-funded research emphasizes the UK-Bangladesh partnership in developing health professionals
The British Council has organized an event at its Fuller Road office to present the findings of the research titled “Presentation of findings and recommendations and workshop: Examples of health partnerships and health professional education.” This research is a collaboration between the University of Manchester Tropical Health and Education Trust and IRD Global and funded by the British Council, emphasizing the Bangladeshi government’s drive to professionalize and upskill the health sector and to create an opportunity for the UK to support this agenda.
The researchers aimed to analyze documents, interviews, and observations to explore the extent of competency-based health worker education in Bangladesh as well as the barriers and facilitators to the establishment and maintenance of health partnerships between UK and Bangladesh health organizations. The speakers also addressed valuable priority recommendations on developing the UK-Bangladesh health alliance through higher education and partnerships, building resources and funding, increasing public support for nurses as well as strengthening health professional education through international partnerships.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, Minister, Ministry of Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Special Guest Md. Saiful Hassan Badal, Secretary, Medical Education & Family Welfare Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh; David Maynard, Director of Education, British Council. Besides, there were speakers who presented their research findings.
Chief Guest Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, Minister, Ministry of Education said, “The research came as a response to the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to London Saida Muna Tasneem’s request in regards of training facilities for our nurses. As we enable them to upskill own selves through such an integrated facilitation process, I am sure they will pursue better careers outside Bangladesh, especially in the UK. This has been a great addition to our overall local medical education system, and we look forward to similar partnership opportunities with gratitude for the UK govt. and institutions”.
Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner said, “The UK has always stood beside Bangladesh and other countries, ensuring ample creation and utilization of development opportunities. UK’s NHS, Health England, University of Manchester, FCDO Health team, and the British Council, along with Bangladeshi partners and stakeholders like the Ministry of Health, IRD, and CIPRB, together, has created a great example of collaboration for the betterment of Bangladesh’s health sector and medical education. I hope this research will help map how Bangladesh can assure improved quality and quantity of healthcare staff in the country, and eventually lead to recognition and accreditation on health qualifications”.
Special Guest Md. Saiful Hassan Badal, Secretary, of the Medical Education & Family Welfare Division, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, said, “Eyeing the SDG 2030 objectives, the Bangladesh government has been actively accelerating for excellence in all of its major sectors, including the healthcare sector. In order for us to guarantee world-class medical facilities within the country, we must train our upcoming health professionals under global-standard systems. The research shall play a pivotal role in this background, generating top-skilled medical professionals who can enable Bangladesh to meet WHO-set guidelines. Thanks to the British Council, the High Commission, and all involved in the process of making this research and training an exciting reality”.