World Hepatitis Day 2014 observed in Bangladesh

LiverBangladesh
August 6, 2014

National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh observed the World Hepatitis Day 2014 in Bangladesh. The day was observed on 19 July 2014 because of Eid holiday on July 28.

Special messages were given by Hon. President, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Hon. Prime Minister, Minister of Health & family welfare, Minister of Social welfare, Govt. of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. President, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), WHO Representative to Bangladesh and president, World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) with special emphasis on significance of the day.

The events include Seminar, WHD 2014 Souvenir, Hepatitis B & C patient’s conference, special television programs on hepatitis, distribution of leaflets, posters, and publication of articles in the newspaper.

The Inauguration seminar was held at the Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum, Shahbag, Dhaka. The key note Speaker was Prof. Mohammad Ali, Secretary General, Liver Foundation. He highlighted the viral hepatitis status globally, South-East Asia Region and in Bangladesh,
He told, it was highly unfortunate that viral hepatitis was not included in the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) of United Nation’s Millennium Declaration, where the control of HIV/AIDs, malaria were included among the eight Development Goals by 2015 among 193 united Nation’s member states. Consequently control of viral hepatitis was seriously ignored globally.

Prof. Ali put special emphasis, that viral hepatitis should be incorporated to the national health policy and it should get preference like other communicable diseases such as HIV / AIDS / Malaria / Tuberculosis etc. The government should make a comprehensive national viral hepatitis strategy that focuses exclusively for the prevention, control and treatment of viral hepatitis in Bangladesh.
Prof Ali narrated different awareness programs carried out by the Liver Foundation throughout the year
He also urged the government to reschedule Hepatitis B vaccination of EPI program with implementation of “Birth Dose” Hepatitis B vaccine instead of existing 6th week dose.
Dr Jayantha Liyanage of WHO, Bangladesh attended as special guest in the Inauguration seminar. Prof. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Chairman, National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh chaired the seminar.

A special patient’s conference for hepatitis B & C affected persons was held on July 19, 2014 on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day 2014. Hepatitis B & C affected persons, their family and friends attended from different parts of the country.
The program was enriched by power point presentations about details of hepatitis ‘B’ & ‘C’, its prevention, treatment and other aspects by Dr Md. Mohsin Kabir,
A lively question and answer session was between the participants and renowned Hepatologists & Gastro-enterologists of the country, regarding treatment, individual lifestyle of hepatitis ‘B’ & ‘C’ affected individuals and their families.

The specialist panel comprises of Prof. Selimur Rahman, Prof. Faruk Ahmed, Prof. M. Anisur Rahman, and Prof. Mohammad Ali .The session was conducted by eminent health journalist Dr. Sajal Ashfaque.

ATN News, broadcasted a special report on WHD 2014 in Bangladesh and a special interview with Prof. Mohammad Ali about present status of viral hepatitis globally with special emphasis in Bangladesh

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