Infectious diseases occur for poor health system
Says WHO regional chief
The absence of a robust public health system over the years has resulted in emergence of infectious diseases in Bangladesh and the current onslaught of anthrax is a reflection of it, says the regional chief of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Bangladesh has experienced several outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis, bird flu, swine flu and anthrax after 2007 in quick succession.
"A weak public health system in Bangladesh leads to spread of many infectious diseases in short intervals in this densely populated country," WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), Dr Samlee Plianbangchang told the news agency in an interview here.
Despite an epidemiological transition towards non-communicable diseases, Samlee said, infectious diseases appeared to remain as the main heath challenge for years in Bangladesh because of poor investment in public health neglecting the approach of prevention of disease than cure.
He said the long neglected health related factors such as malnutrition has led poor younger generations to become more susceptible to infections--the present leading cause of neonatal and infant mortality in Bangladesh. This country, he said, now should invest more on food security, nutrition, education, women and community empowerment to prevent infectious diseases and improve human health.
Samlee arrived here to launch a three-day regional conference on primary healthcare in emergency situations that ended on Thursday.
"As health is a multidisciplinary field, all concerned ministries and sectors such as water, sanitation, education and nutrition must act together to improve health of people as it is not the task of health ministry alone," said WHO regional chief on the eve of the conference.
He advocated for coordination and collaboration among inter-agencies, including health and family planning ministry, for extracting best health outcomes in Bangladesh.
Samlee appreciated the initiative to reactivate 13,000 community clinics across the country.
Asked about WHO's future supports, especially under emergency situations-- earthquake and climate induced cyclone and flood situations-- Samlee said his organisation was devising a new strategy to enhance technical assistance for capacity building of volunteers and community empowerment.
He urged the government to involve more volunteers, improve disaster warning system and simulate disaster preparedness in short intervals to keep people ready to face emergency situations.
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