Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus underscored the urgent need to build a healthy and capable generation, regardless of the challenges, saying it is essential for personal and national development.
He said, “No matter the circumstances, and no matter how challenging, we must build a healthy and strong generation. To achieve this, active participation is required from government and non-government sectors, civil society, national and international organisations, development partners, and people from all walks of life. Only through partnership can this be realised, which is why today’s initiative is so significant.”
The CA was speaking on Wednesday (20 August) at his office during the signing ceremony of a “Joint Declaration” aimed at enhancing inter-ministerial cooperation for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Dr Yunus said that NCDs are rapidly spreading worldwide and pose a particular threat to Bangladesh due to its socioeconomic and geographic conditions, as well as its densely populated environment.
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2022 report, 71 percent of deaths in Bangladesh are caused by NCDs, with 51 percent occurring before the age of 70, considered premature deaths. Out-of-pocket health expenditure is 69 percent, much of it for NCD treatment.
“When someone suffers from cancer, families are forced to exhaust their financial capacity, often becoming destitute,” Yunus said. “Many even seek costly treatment abroad, sending large sums of money overseas. While improving treatment systems is vital, prevention and awareness are equally urgent.”
The Chief Adviser emphasised that tackling NCDs alone cannot be left to the health sector. Other ministries — including food, agriculture, education, sports, local government, and public works — also have critical roles.
“Each sector must develop specific action plans and targeted initiatives,” Yunus said, while highlighting three priorities for implementing the joint declaration: raising public awareness about health determinants, involving private initiatives alongside government efforts with regional and global cooperation, and ensuring close monitoring and evaluation with adequate resources and skilled manpower.
The signing of the joint declaration, he said, should not remain a symbolic gesture. “Through this declaration, we have renewed our collective commitment to strengthening public health security. Its implementation will make health protection programmes in Bangladesh more dynamic and create a new milestone in national progress. It will also support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and future global development agendas.”
Yunus praised WHO’s Bangladesh office for its continued role in strengthening the health sector, particularly after the political changes of 5 August. He thanked Dr Thaksaphon Thamarangsi, Director of Programme Management for WHO South-East Asia, who attended the ceremony.
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