Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International President Dr Mohammed Javid Abdelmoneim on Thursday discussed strengthening cooperation in humanitarian healthcare and emergency medical services in Bangladesh.

The discussion took place when an MSF delegation, led by Abdelmoneim, met the adviser at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), according to a press release.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed MSF’s ongoing humanitarian and medical activities in Bangladesh, emergency healthcare, medical assistance during humanitarian crises and ways to further strengthen the organisation’s operations in the country.

Humaiun appreciated MSF’s longstanding role in providing humanitarian and medical services in Bangladesh, saying cooperation from international humanitarian organisations is crucial to saving lives and ensuring emergency medical care during humanitarian crises.

The discussions placed particular emphasis on enhancing Bangladesh’s capacity to provide emergency medical and humanitarian healthcare services.

The two sides exchanged views on sharing international experience and expertise to ensure rapid and effective medical responses, particularly during disasters, displacement, disease outbreaks and other emergencies.

The MSF delegation also briefed the adviser on its field-level experience in Bangladesh, the existing realities of delivering humanitarian healthcare and prospects for its future activities.

The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening coordination between relevant government institutions and international humanitarian organisations to ensure medical and other emergency assistance for people affected by humanitarian crises.

The two sides also discussed identifying new areas of cooperation in the health and humanitarian sectors, enhancing emergency medical capacity and improving preparedness for rapid responses during crises.

Abdelmoneim expressed MSF’s interest in continuing its operations in Bangladesh and working in coordination with the relevant authorities as required.

MSF Bangladesh Country Representative Elco Brummelmann, Malaysia Mission Regional Humanitarian Affairs Lead Ana Ansari and Bangladesh Mission Country Representative Adviser Imamur Rahman, among others, attended the meeting.

Both sides expressed optimism about continuing MSF’s humanitarian and healthcare activities in Bangladesh and further strengthening future cooperation.