Dhaka, Feb 15 (IANS) Bangladesh and India have agreed to fight infectious diseases like polio and cooperate in healthcare programmes for the poor.
A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of visiting Indian Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad with his Bangladeshi counterpart A.F.M. Ruhal Haq.

The arrangement would be formalised in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), health ministers of the two South Asian neighbours agreed, official Bangladesh news agency BSS reported Monday.

Both the health ministers observed that there is a similarity in heath management and health infrastructure between the two countries.

Hundreds of Bangladeshis prefer to get treated in India rather than spend more in the West or in Southeast Asia.

The MoU would cover India’s training of Bangladeshi doctors in various specialities, The Daily Star newspaper said.

Azad’s visit follows last month’s New Delhi talks when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed several deals.

Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was also here last month when cooperation in the farm sector was discussed.