The National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh (NLFB) organized different events for observation of World Hepatitis Day 2015 in Bangladesh. The day was observed in a befitting manner as elsewhere in the world, aimed at creating awareness among the people to prevent viral hepatitis, the silent killers.
The programmes include Cycle Rally, Round table discussion, Souvenir, Television& Radio programmes, Social media campaign, Free screening of hepatitis B & C, Publication of articles in the newspapers, posters, banners, leaflets on this auspicious day in Bangladesh.
Special messages on WHD2015 were given by Hon. President, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Hon. Prime Minister, Minister of Health & family welfare, President, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), President, World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), Geneva with special emphasis on significance of the day. The messages were published in the official Souvenir of the foundation and highlighted in the TV & dailies of the country with great importance.
A colorful Cycle Rally started from the Central Shahid Minar.(Martyr’s Monument), which crosses different roads of the capital city with awareness slogan of the day in the front of the bicycles.
They distributed awareness leaflets on their way. Mr.Mahbubey Alam, Attorney General, People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Mr. Sayeed Khokon, Mayor, Dhaka City (South) and Prof. Mohammad Ali, Secretary General, National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh inaugurated the rally.
MrMahbubey Alam in his inaugural speech congratutulated the National Liver Foundation for arranging such an awareness building rally in the capital city. He urged the people to be aware about viral hepatitis and to take every possible measure to prevent it. Mayor, Dhaka city( South), Mr.Sayeed Khokon, declared that he is ready to offer all out support to NLFB for awareness of viral hepatitis in the city.
In a short opening speech, Prof. Mohammad Ali, Secretary General, NLFB narrated the viral hepatitis status in the world and in Bangladesh. He explained the theme of the day “Prevent Hepatitis; it’s up to you” i.e. if any one desire he can prevent hepatitis right now.
A round table discussion organized by the foundation, titles as “Hepatitis and Our Responsibilities” was held at the Daily Star Center, Dhaka.
Prof. A K Azad Khan, President, Bangladesh Diabetic Somity (BADAS) and pioneer Gastroenterologist of the country chaired the program. Prof. Harun ur Roshid, Founding President, Kidney Foundation of Bangladesh, Prof. T A Choudhury, well reputed Gynecologist & Obstetrician, Prof. Faruque Ahmed, Head Dept. of Gastroenterology, Dhaka Medical College and Secretary General , Bangladesh Gastroenterology Society, Prof. M. Anisur Rahman, Dept. of Gastroenterology, BIRDEM, Prof. Shamsun Nahar, former Head, Dept. of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Chittagong Medical College, Prof. Shapan Chandra Dhar, Head, Dept. of Gastroenterology, SSMC & Mitford Hospital, Dr. Alamgir Safwat, Associate Professor, Dept. of Gastroenterology & Hepatology , Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College & Hospital, Sylhet, Dr. Hasim Rabbi, Assistant Professor, Dept. of HBPS, BIRDEM Hospital, Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Nazmul Hakim, Assistant Professor, General Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Dr. ANM Nure Azam, Medical Officer, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dr. Aminul Islam, IMO, Medical Officer, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dr. Shamsul Huq, Medical Officer, Gastro Liver Hospital & Research Institute attended the seminar. Members from different institutions, representatives of electronic & print media also attended the seminar.
The key note speech was given by Pro. Mohammad Ali. 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 of Bangladesh and it should get preference for control like other communicable diseases such as HIV / AIDS / Malaria / Tuberculosis etc. 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.
He also put special emphasis on: safe injections, safe blood transfusions, safe dialysis, safe surgical & dental instruments, safe sex & safe motherhood (universal screening, vaccination & immunoglobulin to neonate ,birth dose)
The unanimous decision of the round table was that the government should make a comprehensive national viral hepatitis strategy that focuses exclusively for the prevention, control and treatment of viral hepatitis in Bangladesh.
This year the National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh worked together with Bangladesh Cricket Supporters Association (BCSA), the biggest Cricket Supporters Community of the country for promoting the viral hepatitis awareness on Social media among the cricket supporters of Bangladesh. They shared viral hepatitis awareness videos and posts provided by NLFB. Cricket is very popular in Bangladesh. The foundation also offered free hepatitis B &C screening for the cricket supporters.
The Captain of Bangladesh cricket team, Mr.Mushfiqur Rahim give a special awareness message on WHD 2015., which was highly appreciated and supported by thousands of cricket supporters.
All the events were published in the print and electronic medias. Special events of WHD 2015 organized by NLFB was telecasted in different TV channels.
Many new initiatives by NLFB were enlightened this year’s World Hepatitis Day to make it success.
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