Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited of India is preparing to expand its engagement in Bangladesh by launching a comprehensive training initiative for local doctors. The move is expected to strengthen medical expertise within the country and reduce reliance on overseas treatment.
During a recent visit to Dhaka, Dr Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer for the Chennai region and Senior Consultant (Liver Anaesthetist and Intensivist), outlined the organisation’s plans. He and his team met senior health officials and visited several hospitals in both Dhaka and Chattogram, holding discussions with hospital authorities regarding potential collaboration.
Dr Kaliamoorthy explained that Apollo intends to begin its activities through partnerships rather than establishing facilities immediately. “We aim to provide hands-on training to doctors so that they can deliver treatment locally at standards comparable to Apollo hospitals,” he said. He added that the organisation believes such a goal is achievable with proper coordination and commitment.
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited is one of Asia’s largest private healthcare providers. Headquartered in Chennai, the group operates or manages 71 hospitals across India, with a total capacity of approximately 10,000 beds. Its services span a wide range of advanced medical specialities, making it a recognised leader in modern healthcare delivery.
The proposed training programme will prioritise several specialised fields. These include oncology, robotic surgery, and organ transplantation—particularly kidney and liver transplants. Apollo has extensive experience in these areas and intends to transfer this expertise to Bangladeshi doctors. According to Dr Kaliamoorthy, a significant number of patients from Bangladesh currently travel abroad, especially to Chennai, to receive such advanced treatments.
Initially, Apollo is considering collaboration with major institutions, including Bangladesh Medical University and other well-equipped hospitals. Facilities with adequate infrastructure and specialised departments will be given priority. However, the precise structure of the partnership has not yet been finalised. Further discussions between the governments of Bangladesh and India will be necessary to formalise the arrangement.
Recent diplomatic developments have also highlighted growing cooperation in the health sector. The Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, recently met Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain to discuss opportunities for bilateral collaboration. Such engagements are seen as encouraging signs for future joint initiatives.
A summary of the proposed training areas is presented below:
| Training Area | Objective | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Oncology | Improve modern cancer treatment skills | Greater access to advanced therapies locally |
| Robotic Surgery | Develop precision-based surgical techniques | Improved surgical outcomes |
| Kidney Transplantation | Enhance transplant capabilities | Reduced need for treatment abroad |
| Liver Transplantation | Provide advanced surgical training | Better management of critical conditions |
Experts believe that this initiative could significantly improve the quality of healthcare services in Bangladesh. By enhancing local capacity, it may reduce the number of patients seeking treatment overseas, lower healthcare costs, and contribute to the long-term development of the country’s medical sector.
