China Eastern Airlines is planning to operate flights from Bangladesh’s port city Chittagong to Kunming, China. As a result, people from eastern Bangladesh will be able to easily receive treatment in hospitals in the southern city of Kunming, China.
Chief Advisor’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder gave this information on Saturday, citing relevant Chinese officials.
He said that China has already allocated four hospitals in Kunming specifically for Bangladeshi patients. However, the high cost of airfare is seen as a major obstacle. Officials said that the launch of direct flights between Kunming and Chittagong will reduce both travel costs and time. As a result, Bangladeshi patients will be able to easily receive Chinese healthcare services.
Bangladeshi Ambassador to China Nazmul Islam said that the Kunming authorities have allocated a specific floor of the hospital for Bangladeshi patients. The cost of treatment is also quite reasonable. A Bangladeshi patient can receive treatment at the same cost as Chinese citizens.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh has also taken steps to reduce the price of air tickets on the Dhaka-Kunming route to make travel to Kunming easier. Chinese authorities have said they will open up more healthcare facilities for Bangladeshis.
A large group of journalists from Bangladesh will visit Kunming in April. They will observe the medical facilities there first-hand. Last month, several Bangladeshi patients went to Kunming for treatment for the first time. They praised the quality of the hospitals, but many expressed dissatisfaction with the high cost of airfare.