Due to the growing pollution level in the capital non-communicable diseases (NCD) like heart, diabetes and cancer are increasing alarmingly raising serious concerns.
Experts studying the rising trends in the pollution level in Dhaka said that the capital is the most polluted city in the world and risks of major NCDs are also increasing beyond control.
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh made the remarks while addressing the first phase of the second day of the first ‘National Non-Communicable Disease Control Conference’ in the capital on Thursday.
The three-day conference has been organized by 30 local and foreign organizations including Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum.
He said that the government has taken various steps to control and manage non-communicable diseases. Cancer hospitals are being set up in six divisional headquarters of the country. The treatment of heart disease has improved a lot in the last two decades.
"As a city corporation, we are responsible for urban health, and we are committed to helping the Ministry of Health address the NCD's challenges. Parks and sidewalks are being set up in Dhaka City for the wellbeing of the health of city dwellers,” said the mayor.
He said, “We are working according to the master plan. There are two hospitals under South City Corporation, work is ongoing for their development. The government is working to build a tobacco-free country by 2040.”
Dr Mohammad Shahadat Hossain Mahmud, Director General of Health Finance Unit, Abul Kalam Azad, former Chief Secretary, Prof Joe Ivy Bufford, president of International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), Sadhana Bhagwat, president of World Health Organization NCD Team Leader (Bangladesh), Dr Munir Ahmed, country director, Orbis International; Redonur Rahman and Dr Fariha Hossain, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, BSMMU also spoke at the event.
In the second part, Dr Mithila Farooq, Prof. Dr. Nazrul Islam, SanjidaBinte Ali, International Speaker Dr. Kingsley Agho, Bilkis Banu, Navira Abtabi Bint Islam, Khandaker Fatema presented their research papers.
This session was presided over by Dr Aleya Nahid, Senior Scientific Officer, ICDDR,B and Scientific Secretary, Organizing Committee. Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, country director of Pure Earth was present on the occasion as the chief guest.