DHAKA, April 6, 2024 (BSS) - The World Health Day-2024 will be observed tomorrow in the country as elsewhere in the globe with the theme of the day 'My Health, My Right'.  

 President Mohammad Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages on the occasion of the World Health Day.

The President, in his message, said the government is implementing massive development schemes to bring healthcare to the doorsteps of the people as healthcare is one of the basic human needs.

He said a remarkable improvement has been made in the health sector to ensure quality health service for the people.

Mohammad Shahabuddin said the quality of medical services in the country has increased as a result of development of health infrastructure, creation and recruitment of skilled manpower, procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment and use of information technology.

As a result, life expectancy has increased and maternal and infant mortality rates have declined, he continued.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, reiterated her
government's commitment to protect the public health of the people.

The aim of the present government is to create pro-welfare society and state by building a pollution free environment which is conducive to healthy living for every citizen of the country, the premier said.

The greatest Bengali of all time and Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman undertook various activities, including establishment of
hospitals for the development of medical system of the country soon after
independence of the country, she added.

Following his footsteps, she further said the present Awami League led
government is implementing massive development activities to bring health
services to the doorsteps of the people and build a healthy, strong and
functioning community by providing affordable quality Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) services to the people.

The government has taken various steps including setting up new hospitals and nursing institutes to ensure up-to-date healthcare by formulating a people-oriented health policy, Sheikh Hasina said.

The government has increased the number of doctors, nurses and supporting
staff in the hospitals across the country, she said, adding that at the
village level, 14,285 community clinics have been set up across the country to bring health services to the doorsteps of the
people.

Free health, family welfare and nutrition services are being provided to
marginalized people through these health centers, she continued.

Medical services have been introduced from district and upazila level
hospitals through mobile phones and online platforms, the premier said.

Despite the limited resources, Bangladesh made remarkable success in
achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on health, she said, adding that the government is working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Both the President and the Prime Minister wished success of the Day.

To mark the day, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and non-governmental organizations working in the field of health have chalked out various programmes.

The programmes include holding seminars, publication of souvenirs, arranging health education exhibitions, publication of special supplements in daily newspapers, decorating road islands, film exhibitions and holding government and non-government discussions on health issues.

PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), a research and advocacy organization, today arranged a webinar titled "Budgetary allocation for prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)" marking the World Health Day to be celebrated tomorrow.
   
Health experts joined the webinar calling for increasing budgetary allocation for the fiscal year of 2024-25 as Non-Communicable Diseases are increasing alarmingly in the country.  

The World Health Day is a global health awareness day being observed every year on April 7 to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in order to provide the people with a unique opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.