US and Bangladesh to advance collaboration in disaster medicine, including CBRN
The US Army and Bangladesh Armed Forces are to advance their medical partnership following a visit from US Army Major General E. Darrin Cox, commander of the 18th Theater Medical Command, to Bangladesh between 18-22 January, where he met with senior military and diplomatic officials.
According to information released by the US Army, the visit "combined strategic discussions with on-the-ground medical insight", with Cox meeting with senior leaders from the Bangladesh Armed Forces, including:
- Division Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan;
- Army Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shameem;
- Army Director General of Medical Service Major General Quazi Md Rashid-Un-Nabi
Major General Cox also met the US ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen. The visit included tours of military medical facilities in Dhaka and Sylhet, where Cox spoke with patients receiving advanced trauma care and observed a CBRN medical response demonstration.
"Our partnership with the Bangladesh Armed Forces is built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared interests in regional stability," said Cox. "By collaborating on critical medical training for events like health crises and natural disasters, we are strengthening our combined readiness to meet future challenges together."
According to the US Army, "the engagements laid the groundwork for future expert exchanges and joint exercises focused on advanced trauma training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and CBRN response."
"The opportunity to witness our partners’ medical capabilities firsthand, from facility tours to their CBRN demonstration, was invaluable,” said US Army Lieutenant Colonel Ed Donnarumma, the 18th Theather Medical Command health engagements officer traveling with Cox. "That direct insight is fundamental for us to effectively plan future medical engagements that advance our shared health security and strengthen our partnership."
The 18th Theater Medical Command enables a ready, forward-deployed medical force in the Indo-Pacific by providing command and control of theatre medical units, health system support and force health protection. These capabilities are honed through integration with host-nation partners and joint exercises.
