A delegation from Bangladesh Network for NCD Control and Prevention (BNNCP) led by President of National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh National Professor Brig (rtd) Abdul Malik had a meeting with the Hon'ble Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury. The meeting was held at her office in the parliament building on 14 January 2020.
Current NCD prevalence in Bangladesh, which is a barrier to achieving SDG and overall prosperity of the country and preventive ways were discussed in the meeting.
At the beginning, Hon'ble Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury welcomed the delegation and National Professor Brig. (rtd) Abdul malik thanked her for allotting time to the delegation. Professor Malik described the current NCD prevalence in Bangladesh along with the risk factors of NCDs such like changed lifestyle, unhealthy diet, tobacco use, physical inactivity etc. He emphasized on forming a caucus of the energetic MPs who will take lead to prevent NCDs in Bangladesh. As well, the committee will also work for approval of National Tobacco Control Policy. This policy is the pathway to achieve tobacco free Bangladesh by 2040, which is a commitment of the Hon'ble Prime Minister.
Then it was decided that, an invitation letter will be sent to the MPs to join the caucus and who will be intersted can join. After forming the caucus, parliament will endorse the committee, said hon'ble speaker.
Dr. Habibe Millat MP told that, he will issue a notice in parliament to the Health Minister to take initiative to facilitate blood glucose test, blood pressure measurement and urine test at the community clinics all over the country; so that, NCDs might be screened at the early stage and further complications can be prevented.
The hon'ble speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury was positive to the recommendations of the BNNCP delegation. She committed to endorse the caucus and assist in this regard. Moreover, she proposed to organize a Health Fair nationally to expand the scope of educating mass people about NCDs and its risk factors. Besides, Dr. Shirin Sharmin opined that, young generation should be taught about the healthy lifestyle to prevent NCDs and harms of tobacco.
Among others, Mr. Kazi Rafiqul Alam, President, Dhaka Ahsania Mission; Professor harun-or-Rashid, President, Kidney Foundation of Bangladesh; Professor Khondker Abdul Awal (Rizvi), Secretary General, NHFB; Professor Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, Joint Secretary, bangladesh Cancer Society; Professor Abdul Gani Mollah, President, Bangladesh Orthopedic Society; Professor Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head, Dept. of Epidemiology and Research, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute; Mr. Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, Consultant, Anti-tobacco Program, NHFB; Mr Ataur Rahman Masud, Program Officer, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Bangladesh; Ms. Lylun Naher, Program Officer, Anti-tobacco Program, NHFB; Dr. Ahmad Khairul Abrar, Program Officer, Anti-tobacco Program, NHFB; Mr. Mahamudul Hasan, Media Manager, Anti-tobacco Program, NHFB attended the meeting.