Social Welfare Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Tuesday said if advanced treatment for hepatitis B can be ensured within the country, it will reduce patients' tendency to travel abroad for treatment as well as cut medical costs, thereby saving foreign currency.

“The country's healthcare system needs to acquire modern technology and international expertise to move forward,” the minister made these remarks as chief guest at a programme organised by the Gastroenterology Society of Bangladesh at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) to mark World Hepatitis Day.

This year's theme for the day is "Elimination for Everyone, Everywhere, Right Now."

Minister Zahid said a significant section of Bangladesh's population is suffering from fatty liver disease without being aware of it.

He noted that the number of fatty liver patients in the country is rising day by day due to excessive carbohydrate intake, and called upon all concerned to raise public awareness on the issue.

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

He urged other medical colleges to take similar timely initiatives.

At one point during the event, members of the Gastroenterology Society of Bangladesh demanded that hepatitis B screening be made mandatory for all pregnant women.

The minister termed the demand timely and assured full cooperation from his position to help implement it.

Professor Simon Taylor-Robinson presented the keynote paper at the event.