DHAKA, Nov 17, 2021 (BSS) - President M Abdul Hamid today put emphasis on making the country's health sector more active and dynamic to tackle any sorts of fatal disease like the COVID-19 pandemic in the days to come.

  "We have to establish good governance with innovative strategies and build a vibrant health sector to tackle Coronavirus-like crisis in the upcoming years," he told the students at President Abdul Hamid Medical College in Kishoreganj this afternoon.

   Terming the medical profession as a very challenging one, he said: "We still need more skilled resources especially specialist doctors, nurses and medical technologists".

   "Although we have achieved tremendous success in healthcare sector, COVID pandemic has also exposed some loopholes in the system," the head of the state said.

  The President said many developed countries have suffered greatly even having highly efficient healthcare systems during the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, but Bangladesh managed the crisis more efficiently.

  Highlighting the country's progress in the health sector, President Hamid said that Bangladesh was able to deal with the Corona situation successfully and efficiently due to the bold and timely steps taken by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

  Bangladesh ranks first in South Asia and 20th in the world in the 'COVID Resilience Ranking' compiled by the US news agency Bloomberg for successful handling of Corona pandemic, economic revival and keeping the livelihoods running, Hamid mentioned.

  "We have also managed to secure a steady supply of COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination program is going on in a full swing and around 48 million people have already received at least first dose," the President added.

   Welcoming the foreign students studying here, he said, Bangladesh has shown a great improvement in terms of medical education and it is becoming one of the preferred destinations for medical students around the globe.

  He said the overall standard of education is very good and is comparable to other developed countries and the students have the chance to get on hand training at the hospitals with affordable cost of completing MBBS course here.

  The President hoped that the foreign students would make a significant contribution to the development of the health sector in their respective countries by taking education from Bangladesh.

  President Abdul Hamid Medical College Principal Prof Dr ANM Naushad Khan briefed the President about the overall activities of the college. Secretaries to the President were present at the time.

  In the evening, Abdul Hamid exchanged views with a cross-section people including local leaders, professionals, journalists and government officials at the town.

  He urged all to work together for the greater interest of the country and its people.

  The President is now on seven-day visit to his home district Kishoreganj to oversee some development projects and hold a series of meetings since November Friday last.

  He is expected to return the capital city tomorrow.