She said this in her speech as chief guest at a discussion event titled ‘Health Innovation for All: Expanding Access to Affordable and Quality Healthcare’ of ‘Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026’ at the Novo Theatre in Dhaka on Sunday (September 13).
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Healthcare innovation must be brought to people's doorsteps: Zobaida Rahman
Dr. Zobaida Rahman said, healthcare is not a special privilege; it is the fundamental right of every citizen. Therefore, equal healthcare must be ensured for everyone from cities to remote villages. Alongside treatment of diseases, importance must be given to prevention, early detection, regular health checkups and awareness.
She called for increasing awareness and screening to tackle non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. At the same time, she highlighted the need for family-based healthcare, involvement of female health workers, an effective referral system in maternal health and an integrated blood service system at the national level.
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Regarding innovation in the health sector, she said, innovation does not merely mean creating expensive new machines or apps; solving people's real health problems is most important. For this, effective coordination must be built among research, technology, policy and the healthcare system.
Speaking as a special guest at the event, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M A Muhit said the government is increasing investment and institutional capacity to advance health research and innovation. Initiatives have been taken to build domestic capacity in vaccines, disease prevention, molecular research and digital healthcare.
He also said the use of technology must be increased in long hospital waits, patient serials, online appointments and medicine supply management. Initiatives are being taken to bring patients, doctors, hospitals and pharmacies under an integrated digital health system.
Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology Md. Anwar Hossain said innovation must not remain limited to demonstrations; it must move toward practical application, commercialization and expansion. To this end, an initiative has been taken to build an ‘Innovation Hub’ to create connections among innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, industry and investors.
The plenary session was moderated by Dr. S M Ziauddin Haider, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health. National Professor Dr. A K Azad Khan, along with experts from healthcare, research, the pharmaceutical industry and the technology sector, participated in it. The event expressed a commitment to ensuring equity, quality treatment and safe healthcare for all.