Talks held to investigate rising deaths of Bangladeshi workers in the Maldives

Important consultations have been held between the Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) and Bangladesh's High Commissioner to the Maldives over the rising rate of sudden deaths among Bangladeshi citizens working in the Maldives. According to a report published in "New Age", a newspaper based in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, the meeting was held between BMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. F.M. Siddiqee and Bangladesh's High Commissioner to the Maldives M.D. Nazmul Islam. In a press release issued last Tuesday, it was stated that the high-level meeting focused primarily on conducting a thorough investigation to identify the health and environmental causes behind these deaths, and on taking urgent measures to halt such incidents. As the proportion of deaths among Bangladeshi workers in the Maldives is rising, the Bangladesh High Commission also noted the importance of studying the issue. During the meeting, Professor Dr. Siddiqee provided technical advice and guidance. He also gave the assurance that BMU is ready to take the measures that need to be taken in the matter once full information and guidance are received through the concerned ministries and agencies of the governments of the two countries. The meeting also included consultations on strengthening relations in the education sector between the two countries and on providing higher education and professional medical training to Maldivian doctors through BMU. Professor Dr. F.M. Siddiqee expressed hope that a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be concluded with the Maldives, similar to the agreements made with India and China. A large number of Bangladeshi citizens work in the Maldives in various sectors. Among them, Bangladeshi citizens work in many jobs involving heavy labour, such as construction. They have also faced life-threatening incidents in such jobs, and Bangladeshis have previously died in the Maldives due to incidents occurring at their places of residence.