Dhaka, Sept. 18 -- Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain has stressed the need to develop the country's healthcare system on a long-term and sustainable basis, considering the needs of the next 50 years.

"We will not remain forever, but the country and its people will. Therefore, we must develop healthcare in a long-term and sustainable manner, considering the needs of the next 50 years," he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a programme marking 'The First Open Heart Surgery Day' and the 'Cardiovascular Surgical Conference of NICVD-2026' at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital (NICVD) in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Friday.

Prof Dr SM Rafiqul Islam Bachc...