Bangladesh, one of South Asia’s fastest-growing economies, holds immense potential in the healthcare sector. However, the country’s health system currently faces several critical challenges — particularly the high cost of treatment, increasing patient outflow to foreign countries, the rising burden of cancer and chronic diseases, and heavy reliance on imported medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. According to the World Health Organization, government spending on health in Bangladesh was only 2.3 per cent of GDP in 2023, which is lower than the South Asian average of 3.4 per cent. On the other hand, an estimated $700 million in foreign currency is spent annually on treatment abroad. In this context, foreign and joint investments in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector are both timely and justified.Ìý
As a densely populated and rapidly growing country, Bangladesh offers significant potential for investment in healthcare. Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients seek treatment in countries such as India, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as the Middle East, Australia, and the United States. This leads to massive foreign currency outflow and places quality healthcare out of reach for many. Establishing world-class hospitals, cancer centres, transplant surgery facilities, and trauma rehabilitation centres in Bangladesh could drastically change this reality. The student and mass movement of August 2024, which resulted in numerous injuries, underscored the urgent need for dedicated trauma and injury rehabilitation facilities. This experience has made it clear — now is the time to invest in this critical sector.
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Spotlight on visionary leadershipÌý
THE Investment SUMMIT 2025 was further elevated by the outstanding performance and strategic insights of Ashik Chowdhury, whose vision and coordination were instrumental in bringing together stakeholders across public and private sectors.
Special recognition also goes to Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, whose presence and commitment to social business innovation inspired all participants to reimagine healthcare as a human right and a scalable investment opportunity. Their contributions have set a high benchmark for future collaboration and innovation.
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Priority areas for investment
Multi-super specialty hospitals: Establishment of international-standard facilities for complex care such as cancer, cardiology, neurology, and transplant surgery.
Cancer treatment centres: With approximately 150,000 new cancer cases diagnosed annually, each division in the country requires a modern, globally accredited cancer centre.
Transplant surgery centres: Kidney, liver, and bone marrow transplant facilities remain limited. Establishing full-scale transplant centres will reduce the need for overseas treatment.
Trauma and injury rehabilitation centres: Road accidents, political unrest, and natural disasters necessitate urgent and effective rehabilitation infrastructure.
Medical device manufacturing: Local production of technologically advanced equipment can reduce costs and create export potential.
Pharmaceutical research and export: Bangladeshi medicines are globally recognised. Increased investment in research and production will further boost exports.
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Call for global collaboration
WE INVITE globally ranked medical universities, academic health centres, teaching hospitals, and pharmaceutical corporations to explore joint collaborations with local institutions in Bangladesh. This includes:
Establishing branch campuses or twinning programmes with Bangladeshi medical schools.
Setting up clinical research partnerships in oncology, non-communicable diseases, and advanced therapeutics.
Launching technology transfer hubs in diagnostics, AI in health, and precision medicine.
Co-investing in centres of excellence for cancer care, trauma rehabilitation, and transplant services.
Creating incubators for health startups in collaboration with local entrepreneurs and investors.
Such collaborations will not only provide high returns but also ensure meaningful social impact by building capacity and reducing global health inequity.
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Attracting international patientsÌý
MILLIONS across the globe are seeking affordable, high-quality medical care. India and Thailand have already capitalised on this through strong medical tourism markets. Bangladesh, too, can tap into this opportunity by ensuring international standards of care, skilled professionals, clean environments, advanced technology, and digital referral systems. Expatriate Bangladeshis from the Middle East, USA, Canada, and Australia are especially likely to return for treatment. Simplifying medical visa processes, introducing airport-to-hospital shuttles, and creating package-based medical tourism offers will further attract foreign patients.
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Medical devices and equipment productionÌý
ACCORDING to data from the Directorate General of Health Services and the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh imports an estimated $1.5 to 2 billion worth of medical devices, radiotherapy machines, and diagnostic tools annually. Producing these locally would not only save massive foreign currency but also open export markets. Currently, most critical medical equipment, including cancer therapy and surgical tools, are imported. With the right technology and public-private partnerships, Bangladesh can develop its own manufacturing capacity. Countries like India, China, and Malaysia have already captured a significant share of this global market. With relatively low labour and production costs, Bangladesh is well-positioned to become a medical device exporter. According to Allied Market Research, the global medical device market was valued at $570 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $800 billion by 2028.
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Opportunity for foreign investment in pharmaceuticals
BANGLADESH’S pharmaceutical industry is thriving, with exports to more than 150 countries. However, greater research and international investment are needed for developing innovative drugs—particularly for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and rare diseases. Collaborations between domestic and international pharmaceutical companies could accelerate this growth. Such partnerships would generate employment, facilitate technology transfer, and ensure high-quality local production. This would also reduce drug prices and enhance competition in the domestic market. According to Business Monitor International, Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical export market reached $2.1 billion in 2023, growing at a rate of 8–10 per cent annually. With TRIPS waiver benefits extended until 2033, Bangladesh can manufacture patented medicines without restriction, making it a highly attractive destination for pharmaceutical investment.
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Potential benefits
Saving billions in foreign currency annually.
Ensuring access to world-class healthcare domestically.
Generating millions of new jobs in the health, pharma, and equipment sectors.
Establishing Bangladesh as the healthcare hub of South Asia.
Improving international investor confidence and economic ratings.
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ConclusionÌý
INVESTING in healthcare in Bangladesh is a strategic decision — one that can significantly impact public health, the national economy, and the country’s global standing. With defined policies, structured partnerships, and a long-term roadmap, Bangladesh has the potential to emerge as South Asia’s premier medical hub. For development partners and investors, this is a high-impact opportunity where humanitarian value, profitability, and social responsibility intersect.
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Professor Dr Syed Akram Hussain is a member of Health Sector Reform Commission.