Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called on the international community to work together in achieving public health goals, with a focus on supporting countries with limited resources to better manage health risks. Speaking at the International Conference on Public Health and Diplomacy, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for strong commitment and diplomatic efforts from all countries to address global health challenges.
PM Hasina highlighted Bangladesh’s past success in protecting public health and dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the interconnectedness of nations and the importance of ensuring everyone’s safety. She expressed the country’s willingness to play a leading role in this global effort.
The Prime Minister made several recommendations for regional cooperation, including enhancing preparedness and harmonized response to future health emergencies, collaborating on preventing communicable diseases, mainstreaming mental health in national health systems, addressing public health hazards like drowning and accidents, mobilizing resources for medical education and research, and prioritizing the health of mothers, children, and adolescents to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
PM Hasina emphasized the crucial role of global health governance, with the World Health Organization (WHO) at its center, in serving humanity in the coming years. She encouraged sharing experiences and supporting each other to achieve these goals.
The International Conference on Public Health and Diplomacy, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in cooperation with WHO, featured the participation of ministers and senior officials from WHO Southeast Asia Region member states.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque were among the speakers at the conference, along with representatives from other countries. The conference aimed to promote collaboration and exchange of good practices in public health and diplomacy to advance global health goals.
The event provided a platform for dialogue and cooperation among countries in the region, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in ensuring the well-being of populations and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 related to good health and well-being.
