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BSS- 20
INDIA-BD-FF (with photo)
Bangladesh envoy visits ailing freedom fighters at army hospital in Delhi
NEW DELHI, Feb 8, 2020 (BSS) – The newly appointed Bangladesh High
Commissioner to India, Muhammad Imran yesterday visited a group of Bangladeshi
freedom fighters, who are undergoing treatment at the Army Hospital here.
The High Commissioner met the freedom fighters, mostly in their 60s and
70s, and enquired about their wellbeing and the treatment they are receiving
at the health facility, Bangladesh mission in New Delhi said in a statement.
A total of 29 ailing freedom fighters arrived in India last week from
Dhaka. Fifteen of them got admitted at the specialized Army Hospital in New
Delhi and another 14 are receiving treatment in the Command Hospital in Pune.
The Indian government is providing treatment to the war veterans under a 5-
year scheme under which 100 freedom fighters from Bangladesh will receive
treatment in India every year.
The scheme was officially launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in April, 2017.
The gesture came at a ‘Sammanona’ programme, where the visiting Bangladesh
Prime Minister personally honoured the families of Indian soldiers who
sacrificed their lives during the nine-month long Bangladesh’s War of
Independence in 1971.
During the interaction with the High Commissioner, the freedom fighters
expressed satisfaction at the treatment and care they have been receiving at
the hospital.
Later, the Bangladesh envoy also met the Commandant of the Army Hospital
(Research and Referral), Lt. Gen. Rajat Dutta, who assured the best possible
care for the freedom fighters.
Gen. Dutta appreciated the achievements of Bangladesh in primary health
care and growth of its pharmaceutical sector.
BSS/AIM/ARS/1815 hrs