Medical treatment in Japan to get easier for Bangladeshis as BMTA and JIMCA sign cooperation MoU
The Bangladesh Medical Tourism Association (BMTA) and Japan's International Medical Coordinator Companies Association (JIMCA) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at simplifying the process for Bangladeshi patients seeking treatment in Japan and expanding access to advanced healthcare. The MoU was signed at an event held at a hotel in the capital on Tuesday (October 20).
Under the agreement, steps will be taken to ease travel and treatment coordination for Bangladeshi patients interested in receiving care in Japan. It will also broaden awareness among Bangladeshi patients of Japan's advanced cardiac care, robotic medical technology and specialized health services. The event featured detailed discussions on growing medical tourism and international healthcare cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan.
In a seminar titled 'Advances in Cardiac Treatment in Japan,' Professor Hiromasa Otake, chair and professor of cardiovascular medicine at Kobe University Hospital, described modern heart-disease treatments, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and his experience with complex coronary interventions. He also spoke about the potential for Bangladeshi patients to benefit from these modern technologies.
Professor Tomo Ito, head of the International Medical Communication Center at Kobe University Hospital, addressed a session on international medical coordination, discussing healthcare services for international patients and prospects for cooperation with Bangladesh. He also outlined how foreign patients can complete admission and treatment processes at Japanese hospitals.
JIMCA Secretary General Katsuya Sakagami attended the event, along with Kiyoshi Amada, country representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), senior representative Yuko Morikawa, and Futoshi Kono, a board director of Ship International Hospital.
Representing the BMTA were its president Mohammad Arif Hossain, vice-presidents A M R Mojumder Liton, Shabbir Ahmad Tamim and Abdur Rashid, and general secretary A K M Mufasserul Haque, along with other members. Speakers expressed hope that the collaboration between the two countries' medical bodies would greatly benefit patients in the coming days.
The BMTA has been working since 2021 on partnerships between medical tourism and international healthcare institutions in Bangladesh. JIMCA, meanwhile, assists international patients interested in receiving treatment in Japan.
Every year, a large number of Bangladeshi patients travel to India, Thailand, Singapore and other countries for advanced treatment, and Japan is now emerging as a new destination. Medical experts say Japan's technology in cardiology, cancer care and robotic surgery is world-class, though comparatively high costs still limit the number of patients who go there.
Stakeholders hope the MoU will make it easier to ensure clarity on language support, hospital selection, treatment plans and cost transparency before travelling to Japan. The two organizations have pledged to work jointly to prevent patients from being misled or harassed.
The seminar also heard that coronary heart disease in Japan is now largely treated with minimally invasive procedures that help patients recover quickly. Advanced imaging such as OCT gives a clear view inside the arteries, making it easier for doctors to decide on treatment. Speakers also discussed training opportunities for Bangladeshi doctors in these technologies.
JICA representatives highlighted their ongoing cooperation in Bangladesh's health sector, including the success of projects on maternal health, immunization and communicable-disease control in rural areas.
As a next step, the two organizations will prepare a joint action plan covering patient referrals, publication of treatment-cost information, an emergency contact hotline and direct coordination with Japanese hospitals. Implementation is expected to begin within the next few months.
Source: BSS
