By
Quazi M. Ahmed
Founder & President, BOND
Healthcare is not just about hospitals and doctors it’s about systems, knowledge, innovation, and access. While Bangladesh has made notable strides in improving basic healthcare, many gaps remain in quality care, medical education, research, and public health systems. Fortunately, a powerful but often underutilized resource is waiting to make a difference: Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) working in global healthcare sectors.
Doctors, researchers, public health experts, and medical entrepreneurs of Bangladeshi origin are making incredible contributions worldwide. By engaging this diaspora through strategic knowledge-sharing, BOND seeks to bridge healthcare gaps in Bangladesh and save countless lives.
The Healthcare Challenge in Bangladesh
Despite progress, Bangladesh still faces:
- Shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, especially in rural areas
- Outdated medical curricula and limited exposure to global practices
- Lack of advanced diagnostics, research, and innovation ecosystems
- Insufficient focus on preventive healthcare and digital health solutions
The Value NRBs Bring to the Table
NRBs working in global healthcare systems often possess:
- Advanced Medical Knowledge: From cutting-edge treatments to latest diagnostic tools
- Training & Mentorship Skills: Experience in teaching, supervising, and mentoring young professionals
- Public Health Expertise: In areas such as epidemiology, community health, and emergency response
- Healthcare Management Insight: Including hospital administration, digital health, and system design
- Global Networks: Connections with research institutions, NGOs, and medical companies
These assets can be redirected to improve healthcare quality in Bangladesh, if given the right platform.
How NRBs Can Share Life-Saving Knowledge
- Medical Training & Continuing Education
NRB doctors and specialists can offer online workshops, masterclasses, or virtual training sessions for Bangladeshi medical students and practitioners. These programs can help bridge skill gaps and introduce new medical techniques. - Telemedicine & E-Consultation Programs
Through structured telemedicine platforms, NRBs can provide second opinions, guide treatment plans, and consult on complex cases especially in underserved regions. - Collaborative Research & Innovation
NRBs in academia and research can partner with local institutions on public health studies, clinical trials, and innovation in medical technology and treatment. - Supporting Health Policy & System Reform
With global experience in healthcare policy, NRBs can advise on system-level reforms, digital health strategies, and equitable access models. - Humanitarian and Outreach Initiatives
NRBs can contribute to medical missions, equipment donations, health awareness campaigns, and capacity-building for community clinics.
Real-World Impact: Stories of Change
- A Bangladeshi-American cardiologist training young doctors in Dhaka on non-invasive heart procedures via live sessions.
- An NRB public health expert co-leading a rural vaccination campaign with local NGOs.
- A group of NRB researchers helping a Bangladeshi university launch a collaborative health research center.
These are not just stories they’re blueprints for saving lives.
Turning Diaspora Potential into National Progress
BOND believes that knowledge is the most powerful tool in development. When NRBs are given structured opportunities to share their expertise, they become change-makers driving innovation, improving patient care, and strengthening the healthcare system.
Healthcare is where expertise literally saves lives. With the right engagement model, NRBs can become life-savers for Bangladesh from wherever they are in the world.
Let’s bridge distances, transfer knowledge, and save lives together.