Unhealthy food habit, smoking and usage of tobacco, drug addiction etc are the reasons of spreading non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and asthma. Treatment of these fatal diseases are long term and costly. So it time to give utmost importance on preventing them. If we succeed, then it will be easy to achieve sustainable development of public health.   

Speakers expressed above mentioned view at divisional workshop organized at HRDC centre of Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust on 16 June 2015. Professor Dr. Bodiul Alam Mozumdar, Secretary, Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik; Abu Naser Khan, well known environmentalist and Chairman, Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA); Amin ul Ahsan, former coordinator, National Tobacco Control Cell and Gaous Pearee, Director (Admin), Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust were present as speakers on closing ceremony of the workshop. The program was moderated by Aminul Islam Sujon, Executive Editor, and newsletter of Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA).

 Dr. Bodiul Alam Mozumdar said, willpower is very important to lead a healthy life. Healthy food habit, physical activity and avoiding drug addiction including smoking and tobacco use can ensure healthy life and is helpful to prevent NCDs. At the same time, adoption and implementation of relevant law and rules is needed to ensure a healthy and environment friendly life.    

Environmentalist Abu Naser Khan said, environmental pollution severely affects public health. So we should jointly take initiative to prevent pollution. To achieve economic growth we have gone through massive industrialization and urbanization, which has resulted to serious environmental degradation. We must have development for our survival but that should be environment friendly.  

Former IGP and former member of Law Commission Dr. Enamul Haque; Former Additional Director of Department of Environment and Executive General Secretary of Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA) Engineer MD Abdus Sobhan, Technical Consultant of The Union Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam and Coordinator of Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance Saifuddin Ahmed were the speakers of opening ceremony of the program.   

Dr Enamul Haque said, if we cannot ensure a healthy life, we will not be able to achieve development. Fatal NCDs like heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancer etc should be prevented. If we succeed to prevent them, it will be helpful to improve public health.

Engineer MD Abdus Sobhan Said, food adulteration and excessive use of chemical fertilizer are the reasons of spreading NCDs. As a result of transportation, accommodation and other infrastructural problem; people are suffering from problems like obesity, lack of recreation and mental pressure. If we change our lifestyle and stop environmental pollution; we will achieve success in preventing NCDs.

Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam said, tobacco leads people to death. Tobacco causes fatal disease like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma etc. Bangladesh government has imposed 1% health surcharge upon Tobacco on 2014-15 financial year. To have a rational use of the money accumulated from the surcharge, a Health Promotion Foundation should be established.

Saifuddin Ahmed said, soon Bangladesh will achieve the status of a middle-income country. We will have to ensure man power to achieve and sustain the status. People should have a chance to lead a healthy life. Advertisement of unhealthy food should be banned in this regard. Besides an environment-friendly transportation system should be promoted discouraging private cars.

The day long workshop was held on tobacco control law and actions to implement it and actions to prevent NCDs. Syeda Anonna Rahman, Sharmin Akter Rini and Atiqur Rahman were the keynote speaker of the program. 30 NGOs, from Sylhet division, took part in the day long workshop.