Online Desk: In a landmark move, Saudi Arabia has greenlit the recruitment of Bangladeshi doctors and nurses, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s healthcare sector. This development heralds the first large-scale recruitment of Bangladesh’s medical professionals by Saudi Arabia, aligning with the bilateral agreement forged in 2022 to bolster healthcare cooperation.

As reported by Gulf News, the Bangladesh Medical Association highlights the stark underrepresentation of Bangladeshi doctors among the estimated three million expatriates in Saudi Arabia. The recent policy shift, culminating in the arrival of the inaugural group of healthcare workers in November 2023, aims to bridge this gap.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Essa Al Duhailan, addressed the recruitment delay, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to upholding high standards and underscoring the quality-centric approach of the recruitment process.

The initial contingent, consisting of approximately 60 doctors, signifies the beginning of a growing influx of Bangladeshi medical talent. “It is just to encourage the market and see how it goes,” Al Duhailan added, indicating a scalable approach to recruitment.

In response to a burgeoning demand for nursing staff, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has initiated recruitment drives in Bangladesh, with plans to deploy over 150 qualified nurses to the Kingdom. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance the provision of medical services to Bangladeshi expatriates and to leverage the extensive pool of professionals graduating from Bangladesh’s over 100 medical institutions, the Gulf News report said

The Bangladeshi government has pledged to streamline the placement process, ensuring that nurses find suitable positions in both public and private healthcare facilities across Saudi Arabia. This initiative not only promises new opportunities for Bangladeshi healthcare workers but also aims to elevate the standard of care available to the Bangladeshi diaspora.

This partnership is poised to boost remittances, showcase Bangladesh’s capacity to export highly skilled labor, and fortify bilateral ties between the two countries through a shared commitment to healthcare excellence.