PM calls for setting up biobank to boost medical research

DE Online Desk
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the lack of biomaterials with reliable clinical data infrastructure is one of the major reasons why Bangladesh is under represented in wider medical research.
The prime minister said this in a video message that was played at the roundtable titled “Biobanking with Bangladesh: A joint approach to disease management and prevention”, a collaborative initiative taken by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Embassy of Bangladesh in Brussels and the European Union.
The event is aimed at laying the groundwork for establishment of national biobank in Bangladesh, report agencies.
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh has made commendable progress in clinical care, medical education and research in recent years with the establishment of a number of medical universities and institutions.
She mentioned that as part of government’s constitutional and global commitment to provide universal health coverage, it has set up about 18,500 community clinics and health centers at rural level. “We have undertaken various measures to introduce state-of-the-art facilities in the medical sector,” she said.
Thus, she said, for the development of translational research capacity in Bangladesh, creating a world-class biobank is critical. “Biobank will promote innovation and discoveries in medical and other branches of life sciences disciplines. It could lead to significant improvement in ability to diagnose, prevent and provide personalized care,” she added.
The prime minister said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, the apex postgraduate medical institution in Bangladesh with a 2650-bed hospital, 8 faculties, 68 departments, and about 500 faculty members, has the ability to host such facilities.
She welcomed the individuals and organisations to form a comprehensive strategic collaboration with Bangladesh and make long-term commitment towards the enhancement of the health and well-being of millions of citizens in Bangladesh and beyond.