DHAKA, Feb 7, 2024 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Professor Dr Samanta Lal Sen today said the government is taking time-befitting measures to make the nursing sector world class.

"We are taking various effective initiatives to improve nursing education alongside incorporating updated version of technology," he made the comments as Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls called on him at the health ministry here, an official release said.

Secretary of Health Service Division Md Jahangir Alam and Secretary of Medical Education and Family Welfare Azizur Rahman, among others, were present at the meeting.

The Canadian high commissioner said demand of skilled nurses, doctors and medical technologists are increasing in Canada to extend healthcare supports for gradually increased elderly people.

"The Canadian government is keen to hire skilled nurses and healthcare professionals from Bangladesh in future. Bangladesh should focus on developing world class medical professionals," she added.

Lilly Nicholls said the Canadian government wants to set up international standard nursing training center in Bangladesh to produce skilled nurses.

The health minister said, "There are adequate number of skilled nurses and doctors in Bangladesh ... right now Bangladesh has 95,000 nurses, who are capable enough to keep their significant role in the health sector in any country of the world."

Appreciating the interest of the Canadian government for setting up a world class nursing institute in Bangladesh, he said Bangladesh would be able to improve healthcare system, if the country gets any kind of international supports in the health sector.