PM pledges support for locally developed ventilator, high-flow oxygen machine

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today assured full government support for the testing, quality validation and commercial production of locally developed ventilators and high-flow oxygen machines, reaffirming his government's commitment to advancing healthcare through research and innovation.

"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," he said.

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The assurance came at a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat this afternoon, said the PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

During the meeting, the prime minister highly appreciated the efforts of the experts and researchers who developed the two medical devices using indigenous technology.

He also assured all possible support to make the ventilator and the high-flow oxygen machine ready for practical use and commercial production.

The experts presented the effectiveness, prospects and future development plans of the two locally developed medical devices.

The meeting was informed that two separate teams of specialists developed the ventilator and the high-flow oxygen machine.

Following the required regulatory approvals and clinical trials, the devices could be introduced in hospitals across the country and also have the potential to be exported to international markets.

Officials said the machines are expected to be manufactured and marketed at comparatively lower costs because they have been developed locally, making advanced healthcare services more affordable for patients.

The experts also said successful production and widespread use of the two devices would reduce Bangladesh's dependence on imported medical technologies.

The ventilator is a life-saving medical device 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 designed for patients with common respiratory problems. One of its notable features is that it can operate without electricity, making it suitable for use in remote areas with limited power supply as well as in ambulances during emergency patient transport.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, State Minister MA Muhit, PM's Special Assistant on Health Affairs SM Ziauddin Hyder, Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, BUET Pro-Vice Chancellor Mohammad Shariful Islam, PM Office Physician Associate Professor Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, PM's Assistant Private Secretary-1 Mamun Shibly, and other officials concerned attended the meeting.