Currently Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem and an ignored and underdiagnosed epidemic. About 80-90% of world population have been suffering from Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Speakers came up with the observation at a seminar on vitamin D deficiency at Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday, said an ISPR press release.
They said the main source of Vitamin D is ultraviolet ray of sunlight. Other sources include fatty and sea fish, cod liver oil, beef liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, cheese, mushroom and fortified food products like cereals, bread, yoghurt, oatmeal etc. “The main role of Vitamin D is to increase calcium absorption from the gut and bone formation. It has also immunomodulatory and anti-cancer effects. Elderly and homebound people, lack of sun exposure, using sunscreen or clothing covering the whole body (Veil, Burka, Hijab, Niqab etc.), strict vegetarian diet, lack of Vitamin D containing food and malabsorption etc are responsible for Vitamin D deficiency,” the speakers added.
According to the press release, the seminar was jointly organised by Department of Medicine of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and Kurmitola General Hospital (KGH). Brigadier General Md Abdur Razzak, Professor and Head, Department of Medicine, AFMC and Assistant Professor Dr Md Abdullahel Kafee, Department of Medicine, were speakers in the seminar.
Major General Md Fashiur Rahman, Director General Medical Services graced the occasion as chief guest. Major General Md Azizul Islam, Consultant Physician General was present as special guest. The program was chaired by Major General Md Mustafizur Rahman, Commandant, Armed Forces Medical College. It was started with the welcome address of.
Brig Gen Quazi Md Rashid-Un- Nabi, Director of Kurmitola General Hospital delivered the welcome address. At the seminar, the speakers highlighted the various aspects of Vitamin D. They said Vitamin D deficiency causes Ricket in children and Osteomalacia in adult. Other health hazards are backache, myalgia, muscle weakness, increased chance of cancer, immunological diseases (SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis), infection, dental problem, neuropsychiatric disorders (Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsonism, Multiple Sclerosis, Schizophrenia) and feto-maternal complications etc.
Vitamin D deficiency can be easily treated by supplementation of Vitamin D. It can be prevented by health awareness, lifestyle modification, sun exposure, intake of Vitamin D containing food and also long term supplementation in case of vulnerable groups. Speakers, chief guest, special guest and chairperson gave more emphasis on the preventive aspect.
All the doctors of KGH and Head of the departments of AFMC & senior officers from CMH were present. Newly passed Intern doctors of AFMC, currently working in CMH, Dhaka and KGH were given reception in the program which was sponsored by Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited.
