President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said Bangladesh has world-class medical facilities and further improving the quality of healthcare services could reduce the tendency among patients to seek treatment abroad.

He made the remarks when a seven-member delegation of the Hepatology Society, Dhaka, Bangladesh, led by its President Prof Dr Md Shahinul Alam, met him at Bangabhaban.

President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam briefed reporters after the meeting.

The President said professionals should perform their duties rising above political considerations so that they could discharge their responsibilities more effectively.

During the meeting, Shahinul, also chairman of the Department of Hepatology at Bangladesh Medical University, informed the President that liver transplantation services are now available in Bangladesh.

He also expressed concern over the alarming rise in fatty liver disease in the country due to diabetes, dietary habits and changes in lifestyle, saying the number of hepatitis B patients is also increasing gradually.

Shahinul formally invited the President to attend the upcoming conference of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) as the chief guest.

Mirza Fakhrul accepted the invitation and assured the delegation that he will attend the event.

The President's military secretary and secretary, along with liver specialist physicians who are members of the Hepatology Society, Dhaka, Bangladesh, were present at the meeting.