DHAKA, August 4, 2019 (BSS) – Imams (religious leaders) would work to create awareness of healthy lifestyle and food habits to prevent diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country to stand by government’s vision for sustainable development goals.
A project, diabetes prevention through religious leaders, has been launched in association with Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS), World Diabetes Foundation, Islamic Foundation and NCDs Control Programme of Director General of Health Services.
Professor AK Azad Khan, President of BADAS, at a press meet at BADAS office today said the project aims to organise training on healthy lifestyle for prevention and care of diabetes and NCDs for Imams as well as improve community awareness on it, said a press release.
The World Health Organization has identified four major NCDs and those are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory disease.
Imams will be recruited as Community Health Advocates to aware people on diabetes, diabetes care and prevention of others NCDs.
Imams from each upazila will be recruited and trained at the initial stage of the project. They will recite khutba on the prevention of diabetes and other NCDs during Jumma prayer on Friday. A khutba has been finalised through the approval of Islamic Foundation and that will be sent to the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. The approved khutba will be shared in other Islamic countries in the future.
A tab will be provided to the Imams so they can explain many info graphs, image and show video to the general people.
Free diabetes screening of 250,000 people will be done under this project. People living with diabetes can call Ibrahim Helpline 10614 for specialist advice.
Diabetes is not only a health crisis but also a burden on the health sector and economy as it causes devastating personal suffering, said Professor AHM Enayet Hossain, Additional Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).