FE REPORT
Yamagata-Dhaka Friendship General Hospital (YDFGH) has planned to expand its services, including satellite clinics and telemedicine, to different districts aiming to provide better healthcare to a larger number of people.
Established with Japanese support, the privately-run healthcare facility is also expected to play a crucial role in providing high quality treatment at an affordable cost with the use of state-of-the art technology.
This was observed at the opening ceremony of the hospital's newly relocated premises in the city's Banasree area on Saturday.
The healthcare centre operated in the city's Lalmatia area for 22 years before relocation.
Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Naoki Ito, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bangladesh office Chief Representative Hitoshi Hirata, YDFGH Chairman Md Ekhlasur Rahman and its Managing Director Md Rojibul Haque attended the ceremony among others.
An 11-member Japanese delegation also took part in the function.
Mr Naoki Ito said the bilateral relation between Bangladesh and Japan is a very cordial one, which will be extended further in the days to come.
The hospital is a symbol of cooperation between the two countries, the ambassador observed.
"I congratulate the people whose relentless efforts made it possible to establish the hospital," he said.
He hoped that YDFGH will play a vital role in providing modern treatment to the people irrespective of their financial status.
Mr Hitoshi Hirata said JICA is implementing a good number of infrastructure development projects including Dhaka Metro Rail to ensure better living of the country's people.
Highlighting the growing need for modern healthcare services in Bangladesh, Mr Hirata said the friendship hospital will help JICA implement medical-related projects in future.
He said Japan-based different healthcare organisations are supporting the hospital through technical and other kinds of assistance.
YDFGH is the 82nd hospital established with the assistance of Japan-based Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation, said its director Satoru Matsubara.
Md Ekhlasur Rahman said the country's people have to face various types of difficulties when they need treatment facilities.
He added the hospital receives technical and training support from Japanese healthcare experts on a regular basis.
Describing the hospital's future plan, Md Rojibul Haque said the third phase of the hospital's extension work is scheduled to be completed by June 2020, when its accommodation capacity will rise to 50-bed from 32-bed at present.
