Paediatric surgery, though in its early stages of development, is now progressing very well in Bangladesh, they added.

They were talking to The Daily Star during an international conference of Paediatric Surgeons in Saarc (Fapss) in the port city recently.

The government support could have brought the most advanced medicine and technology required for paediatric surgery, they said.

Prof J M Hutson of Australia, Prof Jose Boix-Ochoa of Spain and Prof Steven Rothenberg of the United States talked about different aspects of treatment, including the prospects of pediatric surgery in Bangladesh.

Prof Hutson is a director of the Department of General Surgery at the Royal Children's Hospitals in Australia with special skills in abnormalities of the pelvis such as anorectal anomalies, inter sex and urological problems.

Prof Hutson said with dedicated surgeons and government support for equipments and resources, there is abright prospect of paediatric surgery in Bangladesh.

"Main setbacks in the sector are lack of training and inadequate number of textbooks," he said.

"Government support for surgical training at home or overseas training under scholarship would be an advantage. Besides, specific government grant for books in department libraries could help over come setbacks," said Professor Hutson.

It is also essential to encourage relationship with foreign experts so that they can exchange technology and expertise, he said.

Referring to the advanced technology in the field, he said, "Laparoscopy is a wonderful new way to do surgery that enables children to recover quickly which saves money and time."

"The initial equipment cost is great, but once the set is purchased it will save money. Even more importantly, it enables some operations to be done much better than an open operation," he said. "The equipment is delicate and needs trained nurses to deal with it and also special equipment to protect it during sterilization," said Prof Hutson.

Professor Jose Boix-Ochoa is the secretary of the World Federation of the Associations of Pediatric Surgeons and an authority on Diaphragmatic Hernia and Gastro-esophageal Reflex (Dhgr).

"Quality of pediatric surgeons here is of very high standard. They are up-to-date despite many constraints," Prof Boix-Ochoa said.

About the constraints he said, "It's a problem of financial support. In our country we have other kind of technology. Government support, logically or financially, is available."

"Paediatric surgeons in Bangladesh are able if they have technology. You see, some kind of treatments have been developed in Bangladesh by Prof Tahmina Banu. It's novelty in the world. Now she needs support of the government to get technical utility," Prof Boix-Ochoa said.

"Visit to Bangladesh helped me know how they deal with the problems, which are not common in other countries," he said.

Prof Steven Rothenberg is expertise in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic and thoracoscopic) in neuritis, infants and children.

Rothenberg said resources are the biggest setbacks for paediatric surgical treatment in Bangladesh, especially for minimally invasive surgery, which require expensive equipment.

"I think the prospects are good. The primary need is to have dedicated surgeons," he said. "And the surgeons here have the ability and deserve to bring new techniques," he said.

In this regard Prof Rothenberg said, "Their (Prof Dr Tahmina and her colleagues') interest and dedication to bring the most advanced technology and medicines to the children despite the difficulties they face inspired me to attend the conference in Bangladesh."

"To deal with the constraints the government should provide money for procuring necessary equipments and reach the benefits to the children," he said.

"Laparoscopic surgery allows us to perform many procedures with better visualisation and understanding while greatly decreasing the pain and morbidity. This results in quicker recovery and much shorter hospitalisation, which not only benefits the child but the whole family," he said.

"I am happy to help teach these techniques and lend my experience," said Prof Rothenberg.