Giving priority to build a preventive health system, health development surcharge needs to spend for Tobacco and NCDs control. In this regard, the policy that has been formulated for the use of 1% surcharge should be finalized. Speaker urged this in a seminar jointly organized by National Tobacco Control Cell, Health Economics Unit, The Union, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences and Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust at VIP Lounge of National Press Club on 17 April 2016.

In the seminar, Md. Asadul Islam, Director General of Health Economics Unit was the keynote speaker and National Professor Brig. (Rtd.) Abdul Malik, Founder and President of national Heart Foundation; Dr. Mojaherul Haque, Chairman of Public Health foundation Bangladesh; Professor Dr. Liyaquat Ali, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Health Sciences; Adv. Syed Mahbubul Alam, Technical Advisor of The Union; Barrister Shamim Haider Patoary, Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustee, Dhaka International University gave the speech. Gaous Pearee, Director (Admin) of WBB Trust presided over the program which has been moderated by Syeda Anonna Rahman, Program Manager.

Speakers said, no state development is possible without health development. Improve health service will increase the GDP. At present Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are hampering the health development of Bangladesh. NCDs treatment cost is expensive and long-term. So these kinds of the disease have to be controlled or prevented.

The fast growing urbanization and population growth, as well as unhealthy lifestyle, the use of drugs and smoking and tobacco products, unhealthy food consumption habits, lack of exercise or exercise or adequate physical activity, obesity,  environmental pollution, unsafe food are the leading cause of NCDs. The government has to take initiatives for implement and formulate NCDs control related acts and rules along with building sufficient infrastructure facilities for physical activity, ensuring healthy food, banning of unhealthy food and awareness raising.

Speakers appreciate that Govt. has  formulated a committee to develop a draft policy to use of Health Development Surcharge. Committee has suggested using the money for tobacco and NCDs control by forming a formal body or institution. Speakers urge the government to finalize the policy immediately.