China vows hassle-free healthcare for Bangladeshi patients in Yunnan

Authorities in China’s Yunnan province have pledged full cooperation in ensuring high-quality and hassle-free healthcare services for Bangladeshi citizens seeking medical treatment in the country.

They made the assurance when a group of Bangladeshi journalists visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University on Thursday and exchanged views with provincial health officials and chiefs of local public hospitals.

"Our international medical pricing is based on the principle of offering high-quality services at fair prices. Bangladeshi patients treated in our pilot hospitals have expressed high satisfaction with the services provided,” said Wang Jiankun, deputy director of the Health Commission of Yunnan Province.

He said they are making every effort to support Bangladeshi patients visiting their hospitals. “Our government and our embassy in Dhaka are in regular contact with the Bangladesh government to strengthen cooperation in the healthcare sector.”

The Chinese government invited the 23-member media delegation as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder is leading the Bangladesh delegation.

The delegation joined a two-hour interactive session with Chinese officials, including Zeng Zhing, president of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Xie Hongbin, deputy director of the Department of Medical Administration and Han Rui, director of the International Medical Department.

During the session, Chinese officials responded to many queries regarding the language barrier, accommodation for attendants, travel expenses, access to Bangladeshi credit cards, liaison offices, follow-up treatment and billing process and the high cost of carrying the dead body back to Bangladesh.

"We are aware of the challenges faced by Bangladeshi patients and working to address these issues, ensuring a hassle-free treatment experience,” Wang Jiankun said.

The Bangladesh delegation head Azad Majumder urged the Chinese authorities to allow more Bangladeshi students to their medical universities in China so that they can support Bangladeshi patients overcome the language barrier.

“We expect the support of Chinese authorities more Bangladeshi patients will seek treatment in China,” he said.

First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University officials said 67 Bangladeshi patients took treatment for diseases such as liver cirrhosis, breast cancer in the past six months.

During a banquet hosted by the local foreign office of China in honour of the Bangladeshi delegation assured Bangladeshi patients of all possible cooperation to facilitate their visit for treatment.

The Bangladesh media delegates are expected to visit a few more hospitals in Kunming on Friday.