Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus said that government healthcare faces several issues, highlighting that many hospitals remain idle due to a lack of doctors.
"People are not receiving the services they need. What is the point of spending so much money on constructing buildings and installing equipment if they remain unused?" he questioned, reports Bangla Tribune.
Speaking at a public dialogue at the BIAM Auditorium in Cox’s Bazar on Friday, organized by the district administration, Dr Yunus said: “Everything that has been proposed today can be done independently. The people of Cox’s Bazar have a unique characteristic—once they set their minds on something, they do not stop until it is achieved.”
He acknowledged the necessity of hospitals everywhere but advised against relying solely on the government, saying: "A government hospital often becomes an added burden—there will be no doctors, no medicine, no books. Why put yourself in such a situation?
"Cox’s Bazar does not lack people or money. Two individuals can step forward and say, ‘We will take the initiative ourselves.’ Not as charity or free healthcare, but through a self-sustaining model where costs are recovered, ensuring financial sustainability.”
Dr Yunus highlighted the economic potential of Cox’s Bazar, emphasizing that its coastal location is a major asset. “We are fortunate to have the sea, which is extremely important for business.”
Discussing maritime opportunities, he noted that Bangladesh has an extensive coastline, and any suitable location along Chittagong’s shore could be developed into a seaport.
He further remarked that significant changes have taken place in Cox’s Bazar, transforming it from just a tourist destination into an economic hub.
Dr Yunus pointed out that Nepal and India’s Seven Sisters region lack access to the sea and stressed the need for regional cooperation in utilizing Bangladesh’s seaports for mutual benefit. "If we engage in business, everyone’s fortunes will improve," he asserted.
He inquired from salt producers whether foreign importers were interested in purchasing salt from Bangladesh, noting that the farmers in Cox’s Bazar now have the capability to export salt.
Additionally, Dr Yunus explored the potential of wind energy production in Cox’s Bazar, suggesting pilot projects to harness wind power.
He indicated that areas further south of Cox’s Bazar hold potential for wind energy development and called for further exploration of advanced technologies to maximize benefits.
Encouraging local residents to capitalize on future opportunities, the chief adviser said: “Cox’s Bazar is an economic powerhouse, and it has the potential to become a hub for information technology as well.”
He also sought input from locals regarding the impact of Rohingya influx on their lives.
