The
Mega MED Show
Aftab
Mahmud Khurshid
It
was no ordinary exhibition at the Sheraton. This was a gala of
showing off the latest technological advancements in health care.
The event's importance was marked by the presence of Commerce
Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury who formally inaugurated
the three-day exhibition Medexpo- 2003.
The Medexpo-
2003 played a positive role in introducing and familiarising more
advanced and sophisticated equipment and technologies of the developed
world. This will go a long way in the future development of this
sector in the country.
A total of
forty-six leading companies, related to health services, from
Germany, UK, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Japan,
India and West Bangladesh participated in this exhibition.
Medexpo- 2003
was co-sponsored by Siemens Bangladesh Ltd, Private Clinic and
Diagnostic Owners' Association, DHL and Novo Cargo Services Ltd.
Three
important seminars were part of the exposition including one on
'Quality Medical Care and the Role of Modern Technology and Emergency
Evacuation Plan”. presided over by the AGM of Parkway Group Health
Care PTC Ltd, Singapore and also Dr Raghib Monzoor, the Consultant
and Chief of ICU, Central Hospital.
The second
seminar, organized by Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital, focused
on “Management of Breast Cancer A Recent Update”.
The third
seminar was about “Latest Development of Cardiac Treatment and
Scope of International Health Care”. This was sponsored by Bangkok
Hospital and was presided over by Dr. Peter E. Albrich, MD and
CEO of Siemens Bangladesh Ltd. Bangkok Hospital was keen to offer
short cardiology training facilities for Bangladeshi doctors.
The Bangkok Hospital performs heart surgery using a new method
called “off-pump” surgery. The institute treats more than 20,000
cardiac outpatients and performs over 200 heart surgeries annually.
The exposition
made people aware of the latest developments in the area of medical
engineering, health care and treatment facilities. It also informed
people about the various facilities that are currently available
in Bangladesh.
Various foreign
hospitals participated in this exposition. Surprisingly, there
was no big Bangladeshi health care service provider present there.
Due to this very reason, Bangladesh has missed the opportunity
to promote its facilities as well as suffer the loss of sales
and image. Contrary to this, other hospitals from neighboring
countries like India, Thailand and Singapore were there, achieving
people's confidence and creating better awareness in just three
days.
Our own health
sector is badly in need of a new vision. The need for basic health
car is so great that there is no reason the private sector should
not come up with new concepts and projects to ensure better health
services. Big companies, multinationals, private clinics and owners
of diagnostic centres as well as renowned doctors and specialists
can pool their resources together to set up a full-fledged hospital
in any suburban area or strategically remote area to provide better
treatment for under--privileged people.
Many companies
have projects and funds to contribute to their corporate social
responsibility activities. As a token of contribution in sustainable
health sector development, a consortium of different companies
can be evolved. They can at least make an example to inspire others
to set up more of such health care centers.
Needless to
say that it must be appreciate by all to organize such a mega
event for the first times by TEEMS, which very timely, effective
and creditworthy.