Economy
WHO Offers Aid to Bangladesh for Health Sector Development
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh for the capacity building of doctors and other health professionals.
Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region Saima Wazed showed the interest while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban on Friday evening. PM’s Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
“The WHO has expressed interest to extend support, particularly training support for capacity building of doctors and other health professionals of Bangladesh,” he said.
The United Nations agency will work on several issues here in Bangladesh, including climate change related diseases, mental health and assistance to climate vulnerable groups like women, children and persons with disability. Since Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change, where women, children and the persons with disabilities suffer much during any disaster, the WHO will work for the climate vulnerable groups.
Besides, the WHO will support Bangladesh to tackle climate change related diseases, including the diseases caused by air pollution, sound pollution and rise of temperature. In the case of mental health, the organization suggested incorporation of mental health issues like behavioural approach in dealing with patients in all training programmes, education and curriculum of health professionals.
The World Health Organisation will extend support for universal health coverage in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said the WHO is an important development partner of the health sector of Bangladesh. Noting that Bangladesh has attained a significant development in the health sector, she said her government established community clinics throughout the country and the health services and free medicines are provided to women and children from the clinics. So, the child and mother mortality rates have declined significantly, while the average life expectancy has gone up, she added.
Mentioning that the young girls feel shy to talk about breast cancer, the premier stressed the need for early diagnosis of breast cancer. If breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the disease is curable. She said the government is working to introduce a referral system at Upazila and union levels for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The prime minister said Bangladesh is going to assist Bhutan to construct a burn unit there.
She said Bangladesh is going to be a regional hub of health education as a good number of students are already there in Bangladesh from Bhutan, Nepal and India. The government is trying to expand the programme, she added. Sheikh Hasina said the government recruited 25,000 doctors and 15,000 nurses on emergency basis during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PM said the government is going to introduce a licensing examination for private health practitioners. Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen and State Minister for Health Dr Rokeya Sultana, among others, were present.
Earlier, Harvard University’s history professor Sugata Bose paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her residence. During the meeting, they recalled the memories of the 1971 Liberation War and focused on the bonding between the peoples of Bangladesh and India. PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin was present. Sugata Bose is a family member of Subhas Chandra Bose and Sharat Chandra Bose. He is a grandson of Sharat Chandra Bose.
On February 1 last, Saima Wazed assumed charge as Regional Director for World Health Organization South-East Asia Region. Saima Wazed is the first from Bangladesh and the second woman to hold this office.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
