Ahammad Parvej Khan
Experts at an international summit emphasized that strengthening healthcare services alone is not sufficient to prevent non-communicable diseases such as diabetes.
They stressed the importance of integrating healthy lifestyles, balanced dietary habits, physical activity, and public awareness with social and faith-based values.
The summit, styled ‘International Prevention Summit (IPS) 2026’ was held in Dhaka on Thursday with the aim of strengthening global efforts to prevent diabetes.
Speakers further highlighted that coordinated efforts among governments, healthcare institutions, researchers, development partners, and religious and community leaders can play a significant role in addressing the growing global burden of diabetes.
Organized under the theme “Faith-Based Diabetes Prevention,” the international summit brought together policymakers, health experts, researchers, development partners, and faith leaders from different countries.
The summit emphasized strengthening international cooperation in evidence-based diabetes prevention, raising public awareness, and expanding preventive healthcare initiatives by engaging religious and social values.
Bangladesh State Minister for Health Dr. M. A. Muhit attended the summit as the as the Chief Guest while Professor Peter Schwarz, President of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF); Sobia Akram, Chair of the Board of the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF); and Dr. Abdul Basit, President of the Diabetes in Asia Study Group (DASG); Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH; Professor Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services(DGHS) & Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, ndc, Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Bangladesh participated as the special guest.
Representatives from WHO, JICA, OIC-COMSTECH, Bangladesh Diabetic Association (BADAS), and other national and international partner organizations also participated in the summit.
One of the key highlights of the summit was the unveiling of the “Dhaka Declaration on Faith-Based Diabetes Prevention.”
The declaration emphasizes the importance of engaging religious institutions, faith leaders, and local communities alongside conventional health initiatives to strengthen diabetes prevention efforts.
According to the organizers, the discussions held at the International Prevention Summit 2026, along with the Dhaka Declaration, will serve as an important foundation for shaping future policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening diabetes prevention.
