DHAKA, Nov 24, 2019 (BSS) – Health experts at a symposium today said
health workers of community clinics could play an important role in
preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
As health workers of community clinics are successfully performing their
duties for prevention of communicable diseases, they would be able to
contribute in checking NCDs, they told the 2nd International Symposium on
“Community Health Workers 2019” in a city hotel.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque addressed the symposium
as the chief guest.
The closing session of the symposium was chaired by Md. Ashadul Islam,
Secretary, Health Services Division while Professor Dr Abul Kalam Azad,
Director General of DGHS and Kazi A K M Mohiul Islam, Director General,
Directorate General of Family Planning were present as special guests, a
press release said.
The symposium was organised by icddr,b in collaboration with the
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH) and Save the
Children, Bangladesh.
This year’s theme was ‘Potentials of Community Health Workers in
Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Context of
Universal Health Coverage (UHC)’.
The Dhaka symposium represents a renewed, re-energised vision and
engagement of the community health workers to act and deliver interventions
that would address emerging challenges of non-communicable diseases.
Speaking on the occasion, Zahid said Bangladesh has achieved a remarkable
success in checking communicable diseases as the government has implemented
massive programme in the past 10 years.
He urged both local and international organizations to work together for
preventing Non-Communicable Diseases.
In her presentation, Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, Additional Director General
(Admin) of DGHS said NCDs are increasing alarmingly in the country and it is
very crucial for the intervention of community healthcare providers to check
the diseases.
Mark Pierce, Country Director of Save the Children, Bangladesh, Xerses
Sidhwa, Office Director of USAID Bangladesh, Tomoo Hozumi, Country
Representative of UNICEF Bangladesh, Dr Asa Torkelsson, Country
Representative of UNFPA Bangladesh and Dr Bardan Jung Rana Country
Representative of WHO Bangladesh also spoke on the occasion.