He said this at a programme in the capital today.

The minister termed Bangladesh's continued reliance on imported medical equipment and diagnostic tools "unfortunate," saying it is not desirable for the economy even 53 years after independence. 

Speaking at the healthcare technology conference at the University of Dhaka, he stressed the need to strengthen local research, innovation, and health technology.

 He also urged an increase in the number of doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, and called on researchers to help expand science- and technology-based healthcare services nationwide.