China launches ‘green channel’ for Bangladeshi eye patients

China launches ‘green channel’ for Bangladeshi eye patients. Photo: Courtesy

A special ‘green channel’ has been launched at Kunming Huaxia Eye Hospital in China to facilitate advanced eye treatment for Bangladeshi patients, offering pre-travel medical consultations, priority appointments, interpreter assistance and follow-up care after their return home.

The service was formally inaugurated at the hospital in Kunming on Saturday by Bangladesh Consul General Shahnaz Ranu, who also inaugurated the Huaxia Ophthalmology International Forum 2026 on the same day.

The initiative is the first specialised service of its kind for Bangladeshi eye patients in southwestern China.

Ridwanur Rahman, first secretary (commercial) at the Bangladesh Consulate General, and Zhang Zhiyong, vice-president of Huaxia Eye Hospital, attended the inauguration.

Under the new arrangement, Bangladeshi patients will be able to receive medical advice and have their treatment-related documents reviewed before travelling to China. Upon arrival at the hospital, they will have access to a dedicated international desk and priority appointments.

Interpreter assistance will also be available to help overcome language barriers, while follow-up services will be provided after patients return to Bangladesh.

At the inauguration, Shahnaz Ranu highlighted progress in Bangladesh’s public health sector and the achievements of local institutions in eye care.

She emphasised the importance of ensuring internationally recognised medical services for Bangladeshi patients while safeguarding patient safety, transparency in treatment costs, fair pricing and dignity.

The consul general said the Bangladesh Consulate General’s key expectations were to ensure quality and safe treatment for Bangladeshi patients, maintain transparency in medical expenses and uphold patients’ dignity.

She also called on the hospital authorities to contribute not only to expanding treatment opportunities for Bangladeshi patients in China but also to strengthening the capabilities of Bangladesh’s own eye care system.

In particular, she stressed the need for training Bangladeshi ophthalmologists and nurses, expanding teleconsultation services and establishing partnerships with eye care institutions in Bangladesh.

She noted that such initiatives could help strengthen the country’s capacity to provide advanced eye treatment at home.

The launch of the green channel establishes an integrated support system for Bangladeshi eye patients seeking treatment in China, covering services from pre-travel consultations to post-treatment follow-up. It also highlights opportunities to expand training and institutional cooperation between Bangladesh and China in ophthalmology.