Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain speaking as the chief guest at an event on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day. Photo: PID

DHAKA, July 28, 2026 (BSS) - Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain today said the country needs to adopt modern technology and acquire international expertise to advance its healthcare system. 

“If advanced treatment for Hepatitis B can be ensured within the country, it will reduce patients’ tendency to seek treatment abroad, lower medical expenses, and help save foreign currency,” he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at an event organized by the Bangladesh Gastroenterology Society at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) here on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, said an official handout.

Zahid said a significant portion of the country’s population is suffering from fatty liver disease, but many of them are unaware of it. 

The number of fatty liver patients is increasing day by day due to excessive consumption of sugar, he said.

He underlined the need for increasing public awareness about this issue.

Referring to the appointment of Professor Simon Taylor-Robinson, Emeritus Professor of Hepatology at Imperial College London, in the Department of Hepatology at BMU, the minister said that involving foreign and regional experts to evaluate students according to international and regional standards would play an important role in improving the quality of medical education. 

He also urged other medical colleges to take similar timely initiatives.

In response to Bangladesh Gastroenterology Society’s demand of making Hepatitis B screening mandatory for all pregnant women, the minister described the demand as timely and assured that he would provide maximum support from his position to help implement it.

Professor Simon Taylor-Robinson, Emeritus Professor of Hepatology at Imperial College London presented the keynote paper.

BMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr FM Siddiqui, National Professor and Honorary President of the Bangladesh Gastroenterology Society Professor Dr AK Azad Khan, BMU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr Md Nazrul Islam; Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Md Abul Kalam Azad and other specialist physicians were present.

Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Arfin, Chief Consultant of Bangladesh Specialized Hospital, chaired the programme.