Dgital healthcare as "a lifeline rather than a luxury"

Bangladesh has called for building a Digital Health Silk Road to ensure equitable access to technology-driven healthcare for developing nations. Speaking at the Digital and Intelligent Health Forum in Xi'an, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Faqir Mahbub Anam described digital healthcare as "a lifeline rather than a luxury" for developing countries.

The forum, held on Wednesday, 22 July, noon as part of the 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Digital Silk Road Development Forum, also marked the inauguration of the Working Group on Digital and Intelligent Health at the Xi'an International Convention Center.

The minister said Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is building an inclusive digital transformation that leaves no one behind. He highlighted the government's initiative to establish a Unified Digital Health System, connecting healthcare services from remote communities to urban medical facilities.

He said the upcoming National Health Card will enable physicians to securely access patients' medical records from anywhere in the country, helping ensure equitable healthcare for citizens regardless of their location.

Referring to his recent address at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), the minister stressed the need for greater international cooperation on technology transfer, capacity building, data sovereignty and equitable access to advanced technologies for developing nations.

To advance the proposed Digital Health Silk Road, he outlined three key pillars: knowledge and technology transfer, international interoperability and common technical standards, and human-centred, ethical innovation.

He also identified security, equity, adaptability and international cooperation as the four guiding principles for global digital health governance.

The minister said the ancient Silk Road connected civilizations through trade, knowledge and healing, and today's Digital Health Silk Road should similarly connect hospitals, researchers, healthcare professionals and patients worldwide. He reaffirmed Bangladesh's readiness to become a trusted partner in this global initiative.

The forum brought together representatives from the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Shaanxi Provincial Government, the World Health Organization (WHO), international organizations, policymakers and technology leaders to discuss AI-powered healthcare, medical data, digital innovation and cross-border collaboration.

The 2026 WIC Digital Silk Road Development Forum, held on July 21-22 in Xi'an, also attracted ministerial delegates and experts from Cambodia, Algeria, Zambia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Russia, Brazil and several other countries.

Concluding his address, Bangladeshi Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam reiterated that technology must serve humanity rather than command it. Emphasizing healthcare as a fundamental human right, he affirmed Bangladesh's readiness to serve as an active partner in joint research, capacity building, and digital health initiatives across Silk Road partner nations.
Organized by the WIC (Wuzhen Summit) Secretariat, the forum saw participation from senior officials of China's Cyberspace Administration, Shaanxi provincial leadership, and international entities, including WHO representatives. According to Chinese state media outlets, the new WIC Working Group serves as a major digital pillar under Beijing's broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
//DBTech/IH/SME//