Nutrition at the Center has reached mothers, their children, and influential household and community members through an integrated intervention model of malnutrition prevention, care, and support; while continuing to work towards the goal of a 13% reduction in anemia in women and children and a 9% decrease in child stunting. The integrated components of CARE’s approach include:

Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN): Achieving large-scale change in MIYCN practices is challenging and takes time. To facilitate the process, CARE creates “trans formative group” platforms that increase the number of mothers receiving nutrition education, create a social environment supporting change, and allow peers to share experiences and best practices for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding. These groups may include mothers’ support groups, male support groups, adolescent girls’ groups, and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA – a self-managed group that provides it’s members a safe place to save money and access loans).

Food Security: Nutrition at the Center is engaging thousands of households, government officials, and community members on improved food security practices— including training and technical support on climate smart agriculture for homestead gardens and food production, developing season calendars, sharing seedlings, and promotion of Vitamin A intake.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): In an effort to improve WASH practices in target communities, Nutrition at the Center engages VSLA members and mother-to-mother support groups in building household handwashing systems such as ‘tippy-taps’ — a basic hand washing station made from a water bottle or suspended by a rope — to reduce oral-fecal disease transmission in households.

Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equity: Nutrition at the Center uses a comprehensive approach to achieve gender equality and works beyond just women to do so. In addition to reaching women through VSLAs and mother-to-mother support groups, the project engages with men and influential people through existing platforms, drama groups, and dialogues to question and transform norms around gender which have resulted in increased support for women and improved practices around optimum breastfeeding, increased hygiene, and home gardens.

What has been achieved so far?

Pregnant and lactating mothers from more than 68,000 households, 4,667 Social Analysis and Action groups (SAA—a process promoting gender equity through facilitated community dialogue to address norms affecting food and nutrition security), mother-to-mother support groups, and 3,467 VSLAs have received peer support, along with counseling at their households and health facilities to improve complementary feeding and breastfeeding practices.

More than 5,000 government health and agriculture staff, community volunteers, educators, and development agents have been trained or supported to assist mothers and caregivers to enhance their own diets and improve feeding and care for their children.

More than 5,000 men have engaged in VSLA and SAA group sessions or tuned-in to—and participated in discussions following—radio programs that integrate maternal and early childhood nutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene; and food security topics and participated in discussions following each episode.

In Benin, 4,000 VLSA members campaigned during World Breastfeeding Week and marched for the integration of nutrition promotion in their local government budget; resulting in the commitment of $2,500 USD by local authorities of the ministry to support nutrition activities.

In Bangladesh, 1,200 adolescent girls from 21 schools and five communities have received nutritional counseling and IFA tablets to prevent anemia and build iron reserves that can help prevent maternal anemia when they become pregnant.

More than 10,000 households have received technical support to engage in homestead food production, including vegetable gardening and small animal rearing to ensure year round access to dietary diversity and animal source foods.

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Caring India organised a seminar on Sunday at Dhaka Club in association with Delhi-based Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, India to increase awareness on urology, oncology, cardio thoracic and vascular surgery treatment facilities.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital’s specialists- Dr N. Subramanian (Senior Consultant, Urology), Dr Feroz Pasha (Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology) and Dr MukeshGoel (Senior Consultant, Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery) shared their knowledge and interacted with the audience.

Bangladeshis are the largest foreign takers of Indian health services, according to a government report that showed that one in three foreign patients in India was from Bangladesh in 2015-16.

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Now, Lecturio has announced that the Afghan medical universities in Kabul and Balkh are the first members of MEDI. In March 2017, they began a major pilot project to integrate Lecturio’s online courses into their curricula. By following the notably successful blended learning method, students will be able to use this learning tool—even on their mobile devices—to complement their conventional classes. They will benefit from more than 500 hours of high-quality online video lectures given by hand-picked, award-winning medical instructors from the world’s most renowned medical faculties such as Harvard, Yale or Brown.

The content of the courses is updated and expanded regularly and conforms to the internationally upheld standards set by the MCAT and USMLE in the U.S. Martin Schlichte, CEO of Lecturio, says: “A world with vanishing physical and practically non-existing digital borders should not be hesitant about spreading specialized knowledge, particularly in such a vital area as medicine. In this context, we see it as our mission to make high quality medical education available for projects and institutions that improve health care and health systems all over the world.

We want to support the process of rebuilding the medical education system in Afghanistan to do our bit to make the world a healthier place.” Prof. Shriniaqa Zarif, President of Kabul Medical University has already expressed his high hopes in the program: “I am convinced that digitized learning content is essential to address the shortfall of qualified medical instructors and to maintain a consistently high teaching quality in universities throughout the entire country.

That’s why we are more than happy about our partnership with Lecturio that supports us with world-class teaching material and a modern technology to deliver the video-content to our students.” About Lecturio: Lecturio is a leading international eLearning platform for medical video education, serving students as well as universities and medical institutions. Founded in Germany’s historic publishing center of Leipzig in 2008, it has advanced to become one of the major players in the eLearning market in Europe.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunisation prevents almost 3 million deaths every year, however an estimated 19.4 million children worldwide are still missing out on basic vaccines.

Quality and use of data, better access to routine immunisation services for displaced populations, strong health systems and community involvement are some of the key challenges essential to achieving results in immunisation coverage. Integrating immunisation with other health services, such as postnatal care for mothers and babies as well as fostering health systems so that vaccines continue to be given even in times of crisis can help expand access to immunisation.

The week also coincides with the World Malaria Day, celebrated on 25^th April every year. In 2015, the disease claimed the lives of an estimated 429 000 people and one child died from malaria every 2 minutes.

WHO has put a spotlight on prevention as a strategy for reducing the burden of the disease and for attaining global malaria targets. According to the World Malaria Report 2016, new malaria cases fell by 21% and malaria mortality rates have been reduced by 29% (2010-2015). Southeast Asia has seen the highest improvement in malaria case incidence and death rates decreasing by 46% and 54%, respectively, over the 5-year period.

Amongst the prevention tools that made a measurable difference in the fight against malaria, insecticide-treated nets have had the greatest impact preventing 69% of all cases.

In light of the World Immunisation Week and World Malaria Day on 25^th April, the 3^rd annual Aid & Development Asia Summit will focus on strengthening health resilience in Southeast Asia through innovation and cross-sector partnerships to advance vaccination coverage and access to life-saving prevention and treatment.

Leading health and immunisation experts from civil society, UN agencies, governments, development banks, research institutes and the private sector will gather at the Aid & Development Asia Summit on 14-15 June 2017 to provide an update on innovations and best practice in health programmes for disease prevention and control in Southeast Asia. Dr. Thet Khaing Win, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar, has confirmed his participation as a keynote speaker at the Aid & Development Asia Summit.

Strengthening health systems and closing the gap in access to vaccination through integration with other health services are amongst key priorities for WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank and UNAIDS in the region. Tackling communicable diseases and improving maternal and child health through technologies and public-private partnerships will be explored in a discussion with Dr Stephan Paul Jost, Country Representative, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Aye Yu Soe, Senior Public Health Officer, Three Millennium Development Goal (3MDG), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and Charles Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Malaria Consortium.

They join other confirmed speakers on health issues, including:

• Dr Yin Min, Deputy Chief of Party and Technical Advisor, Community Partners International
• Daniel Crapper, Country Director, PSI Myanmar
• Dr Tobe Makoto, Senior Advisor, Health Financing and Health Systems, Human Development Department, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• Penelope Campbell, Chief, Health and Nutrition, Young Child Survival and Development (YCSD), United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
• Dr Ni Ni, Country Director, Ipas Myanmar
• Dr Bella Monse, Senior Advisor, Fit for School, Technical Assistance for Effective School Health, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

To see full list of speakers, please click here

Immunisation is crucial to support disease prevention programmes and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The Aid & Development Asia Summit aims to foster innovation and collaboration between government, aid agencies, UN, investors and the private sector in order to address inadequate access to healthcare and close the gap in access to proven prevention measures.

The Aid & Development Asia Summit would like to thank its partners in the healthcare industry, including B Medical Systems, Procter & Gamble, NRS International, NRS Relief and TANA Netting. To find out more about our partners, or how you can get involved, please click here.

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The incidence of major infectious diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, has declined globally since 2000. SEA accounts for the largest number of new TB cases and 41% of the global TB incidence burden.

Maternal and child health are also amongst regional priorities. One of the highest rates of child mortality is in SEA where 1 in 19 dies before their fifth birthday and one in three is affected by stunting (WHO, 2015).

Challenges in achieving health SDGs have urged global and regional agencies to look for innovative ways to improve health systems and programmes. Technology and partnerships are paramount to ensure that desired universal health care access is achieved in an affordable and sustainable way.

Key decision-makers from the UN and government agencies, NGOs, Red Cross, research institutes and the private sector will gather at the upcoming Aid & Development Asia Summit to look at how technological innovations can improve aid delivery and health resilience in SEA.

Dr Thet Khine Win, Permanent Secretary of the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports will deliver a keynote speech at the Summit. Other specialists in the field, including Dr. Aye Yu Soe, Senior Public Health Officer, Three Millennium Development Goal (3MDG) Fund of UNOPS and Penelope Campbell, Chief, Health and Nutrition, Young Child Survival and Development, UNICEF will share insights on how to improve health systems and health financing in order to reduce maternal and under-five mortality rates, eliminate communicable diseases and increase access to healthcare services in the region.

Charles Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Malaria Consortium and Daniel Crapper, Country Director, PSI Myanmar will share an update on regional health programmes and collaborations and improving access to HIV/AIDS prevention and counselling. Dr Tobe Makoto, Senior Advisor, Health Financing and Health Systems, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr Ni Ni, Country Director, Ipas Myanmar and Dr Sid Naing, Country Director, Myanmar, Marie Stopes International (MSI) focus on overcoming challenges of child and maternal health, especially in remote areas and temporary settlements and establishing robust medical systems to better support children and women.

Building on the success of the previous years, the 3^rd annual Aid & Development Asia Summit will take place on 14-15 June at the Myanmar International Convention Centre (MICC-2) in Nay Pyi Taw. Gathering 250+ high-profile attendees and 45+ speakers, the Summit is an exclusive platform uniting regional and global expertise, offering an unparalleled opportunity for knowledge exchange, cross-sector engagement and collaboration.

A participant of last year’s Aid & Development Asia Summit in Bangkok, Sammy Njoe, Regional Chief ICT at UNICEF says that “the Summit was very useful from a content perspective and networking opportunity”.

For more information about the Aid & Development Asia Summit, visit https://asia.aidforum.org

For any enquiries, please contact Alina O’Keeffe, Head of Marketing at Aid & International Development Forum (AIDF) at [email protected]

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According to World Health Organization, vaccine-preventable diseases are responsible for nearly 2.5 million deaths every year globally. Immunization could prevent 1.7 million deaths among children under 5 years of age.  Yet an estimated 130 million people in the South-East Asia region lack access to essential health services.

Leading health and vaccination experts from civil society, UN agencies, governments, investors, research institutes and the private sector will gather at the AIDF Asia Summit on 21-22 June 2016 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok to provide an update on health resilience and emergency response, including Health Programmes for Disease Prevention and Control in South East Asia.

Integrating immunization with other health services, such as postnatal care for mothers and babies and strengthening health systems so that vaccines continue to be given even in times of crisis are amongst key priorities for WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank and UNAIDS. They also pledged to address underlying factors like nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, and to empower women through a cross-sector collaboration approach.

Dr AnurakAmornpetchsathaporn, Director of Bureau of Public Health Emergency Response, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand,has confirmed his participation as a keynote speaker at theAIDF Asia Summit. Improving community health through technologies and public-private partnerships as well as addressing the key stages for collaborative health innovation will be explored in a discussion with Sebastien Latouille, Delegate for Asia-Pacific, Telecoms Sans Frontieres, Martina Aureli, Business Development & Sales Executive, NRS International.

They join other confirmed speakers on health issues including:

• Dr Nyunt Naing Thein, Chief of Party, Thailand, International Rescue Committee
• Anna Hrybyk, Program Manager, Catholic Relief Services
• Dr Kulwant Singh, Chief Technical Advisor, UN-HABITAT
• To see full list of speakers, please click here

Discover latest trends and innovations in mHealth and their practical implications for humanitarian aid and development programmes with representatives of UNESCAP, USAID, Save the Children, UNOPS, IRFC, FHI 360, IRC, UNESCO, IOM, WFP, Habitat for Humanity International, World Vision, ADPC, GIZ.

The AIDF Asia Summit aims to foster technological innovation and tighter collaboration between various levels of government, aid agencies, UN, investors and private sector in order toaddressinadequate access to health and immunization services in hard-to-reach rural areas, increase awareness amongst vulnerable populations and introduce new vaccine to improve routine immunization services in the region.

AIDF would like to thank healthcare partners, including B Medical Systems, Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi Pasteur, SATMED and DanofficeIT. To find out more about our partners, or how you can get involved, please click here.

Tolearn more about health related issues in South East Asia and take action to make a difference, email Alina O’Keeffe at [email protected] with a request for participation.

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A mobile testing laboratory for waste water and sludge generated by effluent treatment plants in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) factories was inaugurated on 18 April 2016 in Dhaka. This laboratory is equipped with sampling and measuring instruments and accessories and offers on-the-spot testing and sampling services for washing, dyeing and finishing plants in the RMG sector. With its technician and waste water expert team, the mobile laboratory will enable clients to take advantage of quality services at an affordable price.

The concept of the mobile testing laboratory was developed within the framework of a developpp.de project. This Public Private Partnership developpp.de was set up by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to foster the involvement of the private sector at the point where business opportunities and development policy initiatives intersect. It is implemented by Promotion of Social and Environmental Standards in the Industry (PSES), a joint project of the governments of Bangladesh and Germany and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the BMZ.

PSES is providing technical support to the mobile testing laboratory – such as developing training and awareness raising materials and providing the vehicle for the laboratory. Private partner TÜV SÜD Bangladesh (Pvt.) Ltd. is providing equipment and materials such as the mobile laboratory testing equipment, generator and consumables for the operation of the laboratory. They are also providing services such as testing, on-site training and technical advice.

The Department of Environment (DoE) will review the outcomes of the testing and the findings of the project because it provides the regulatory framework for waste water and sludge testing and disposal.

During the inauguration of the mobile testing laboratory, the keys to the vehicle were handed over to Mr Bratin Roy, Vice President,TÜV SÜD Bangladesh by the Deputy Head of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Ferdinand von Weyhe, in the presence of Md Muslehuddin, Deputy Chief – Planning, Ministry of Commerce,factory owners and representatives from garments buyers and service providers.

In his opening remark Dr von Weyhe said, ‘‘Consumers in Europe do care about the environmental conditions under which RMG is produced in Bangladesh. With the help of this testing van waste water can be controlled, thus providing a scientific basis to further improve water quality. Investment in environment can pay off. By the way, I am looking forward to that day, when children can swim in clean water – next to a RMG factory.’’

Then Dr Jochen Weikert, Programme Coordinator,GIZ, remarked “Some of the smaller garment factories may have effluent treatment plants in operation, but they lack the instruments they need in order to constantly control the treated water. With this mobile testing service, we specifically serve the smaller and medium-sized factories so that they can make sure their wastewater does not pollute the environment. Thus, the mobile laboratory is one step more towards a sustainable garment industry in Bangladesh, from which businesses, environment and people will benefit.”

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NGO News Report

The survey was conducted among 911 adolescent boys and girls on Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) on Sexuality and Reproductive Health (SRH) living in urban slum areas of Narayanganj. According to BMHS, 2011 in Bangladesh, we have 22% adolescent population.

Among them round 66% early marriage happen in slum and 11.8% girls below 18 years are carrying baby which is high risk cause of girls’ mortality. In the slum area due to sanitation problem girls are facing SRH problems like irregular menstruation, discharge, painful menstruation, STIs. Other problems of them are injuries, violence, rape, sexual abuse, victims of acid attacks, etc. There are early or unwanted pregnancies, pre – eclampsia/ eclampsia, obstructed labor caused by immaturity of birth canal, post- partum hemorrhage, ruptured uterus, septic abortion, etc.

The report says, Boys SRH problems are mental anxiety and depression because of starting of wet dreams. The highest adolescent pregnancy rate which is 32.8% in Rajshahi division (BMHS, 2010). The slum adolescents have poor knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Around 29% adolescents have knowledge on AIDS and Contraceptives. GIZ is aiming to increase their knowledge among them up to 54% in Narayanganj by 2017 through implementing project on SRH.

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NGO News Report ::

A clean and tidy community increases dignity of the community people. On 5 March, 2015 at 11:30 am community people of 34 no ward (former 47), Work for A Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA), Dhanmondi Kachikantha School, Alif Ideal Public School jointly organized a leaflet campaign from Rayer Bazar Boishakhi Playground to Sankar Bus Stand.

The campaign was held to increase awareness among shopkeepers. In the campaign shopkeepers were requested to keep a basket for garbage and to clean their shop premises before closing it at night.

Shopkeepers were also requested not to pollute environment by throwing garbage here and there; to use dustbin and to encourage customers for using it, to use local garbage van, to clean shop premises befor closing at night, avoid throwing garbage in drains and sewerage line, and to persuade children for using garbage can rather than throwing it here and there.

Organizers said that it is the responsibility of the shop owners to keep the shop premises clean. Customers should be encouraged to use the dustbin. It is the responsibility of the community people to keep their locality clean. We want to build our area as an ideal one.

Social Worker Monjur Hasan Dilu and Ziaur Rahman Litu, Project Officer, WBB Trust, conducted the campaign. Besides Nurul Islam, Principal of Dhanmondi Kachikantha School; Jewel Hasan, Head Master of Alif Ideal Public School; Shanti Ribaru, Secretary-General, Grameen Atma Unnayan Center; Syed Mahbubul Alam, Admin (program and planning), WBB Trust; Maruf Hossain, National Advocacy Officer, WBB Trust etc were also present in the campaign.

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NGO News Desk :: 

The High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh Mr. Benoît-Pierre Laramée visited ASF on April 27th to hand over the cheque to Acid Survivors Foundation.

Mr. Benoît-Pierre Laramée stated, “The Government of Canada has proudly supported the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) since its founding in 1999. We are happy to see that ASF has been successful in reducing the number of acid attacks and in helping acid survivors to reintegrate into society. The High Commission is proud that Canadian volunteers participated at the rickshaw relay to raise funds for supporting the ASF survivors. The advancement, promotion and defense of the human rights of women and girls is a key priority for the Government of Canada”

ASF’s Executive Director Selina Ahmed thanked the High Commission staff, sponsors and volunteers who participated in the Rickshaw Relay. Selina Ahmed stated, “ASF runs a 20 bed hospital where survivors of acid violence are able to receive free of cost medical treatment. ASF also provides legal and rehabilitation support to acid survivors” She further stated “Support and cooperation from the Government, Media and Civil Society has made it possible to reduce the number of acid attacks in Bangladesh”.

During the visit The High Commissioner, Mr. Benoît-Pierre Laramée and the event coordinator Lisa Lee met with acid survivors in ASF’s hospital.

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NGO News Report ::

State Minister for Home Affairs, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, at the round table titled – Tobacco Control Law and Smoke-free Environment, said that only law is not enough to control tobacco use. Tobacco promoting companies are paying advance money to the farmers for tobacco cultivation. Tobacco farming also reduces the lands fertility and this issue should be informed to the farmers and the mass people.

Motiur Rahman, the editor of the Daily Prothom Alo, said that Prothom Alo publishes such issues by its own initiative which is helpful for the commoners. He also said that anti-tobacco or anti-drugs advertisements are published free of costs on the newspaper and will be done so in future.

Parliament Member (MP) Fazilatunnesa Bappi said that in 2012-13 fiscal years, tobacco has been grown on 70 thousand hectares of lands. And in last year the land quantity stood by 108,000 hectares. To discourage tobacco farming, she said that electricity for irrigation facility should be stopped or the fertilizer packets should contain words like this – ‘The fertilizer should not be used for tobacco cultivation’. The MP also showed some images how the tobacco companies are advertising their products in different universities.

Anti-tobacco activists and organization representatives participated at the round table discussion. Participants also said that tobacco companies are on the view that they provide a huge amount of tax to the government. But the damages for smoking and the government’s expenditure for the health costs are almost 10 times to the tax that the government receives from the tobacco companies.

They added that the government has formulated the tobacco control act in 2005 and accordingly amended the act in 2013, but the Rules for the act has been gazetted in March 12, 2015. The anti-tobacco organizations allege that the Rules finalization took much time for the interference of the tobacco companies in this process.

Iqbal Masud, Director of Dhaka Ahsania Mission said that big tobacco companies are not abiding by the law. They adopt different techniques to decorate the stores where their brands are sold so that the customers could get attracted to their respective brands.

When mobile courts are on drive, they show different hand-outs that such drives are not the responsibilities of the mobile courts. But they should be made understand that they are bound to follow the law.

Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, Joint Secretary of Law and Justice Department said that considering the harmful effects of smoking, Juvenile Smoking Act was formulated in 1919. The smoking has not been stopped even after 100 years. He also opined that diarrhea has been prevented for a strong campaign and such a campaign is required to stop smoking.

Reaz Ahmed, assignment editor of the Daily Star, citing Russia said that non-smokers can take food at restaurants but the smokers are to take foods outside of the same restaurant. Besides, smoking has been controlled in different countries by imposing a heavy taxation.

Anisul Haque, Assistant Editor of Prothom Alo said that once smoking was highlighted on stories, novel, cinema and dramas and the situation has been changed. However, some of the characters are seen smoking in some satellite channels.

Representation of the characters is also possible without cigarettes. The participants asked the mass media to come forward in smoking prevention. Shahnaj Munni News Editor of ATN Bangla opined that the law enforcers also should be brought under accountability.

Amin Ul Ahsan, former Coordinator of NTCC under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the amended tobacco control act has banned showing smoking in all media including television. If that is necessary, there are specific directions too and the mass media should take measures about the issue.

Mekhla Sarker, Assistant Professor of National Institute of Mental Health said that when people see someone smoking on screen for removing their depression, they start believing that smoking is helpful for cutting their depressions too and a logical issue but there is no scientific evidence over the fact.

He also said that the rate of smoking among female teens has increased recently. They should be taught that smoking causes damage from their tip to toe and even that may cause damage to their reproductive health or increases the chances of looking them older than actually they are.

Another Assistant Professor of the same institute, Helal Ahmed, said that children are the worst sufferers of the passive smoking. Due to passive smoking, there are changes in the behavioral patterns of the kids, they turn over smart and do not abide by anything. He opined that the foundation course of police, magistrates and other law enforcing agencies should be attached with the curriculum.

Associate Editor of Prothom Alo, Abdul Quayum, moderated the event.
​https://epaper.prothom-alo.com/view/dhaka/2015-04-19/20

(Note: This is the translated version of the original report as it published in bangla)

In connection to that a report also published in the daily star today. You can see detail in the following link:
​https://www.thedailystar.net/city/stop-tobacco-farming-paddy-jute-fields-78024

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NGO News Report ::

Dhaka Metrapolitan Police (DMP) declared smoke free all festive areas in Dhaka including Ramna Park (most popular national event in Batomul inside of this park), Sohrawardi Udyan, TSC, Shahbag etc. Millions of people visited all this events.

To save non-smoker including child and women, DMP’s smoke free declaration is positive initiative for tobacco control. DMP shared information on smoke free throughout their promotional and informational process.

To sensitize mass people about DMP’s declaration on smoke free Pohela Boishakh, Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA), Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, Pratysha Anti Drug’s Club published and hang-on digital banner every festive event places. This colourful digital banners is contains with written message and no-smoking sign.

Activist also disseminated smoke stickers, leaflets, posters, banners and hang-on large banners in the event places. Anti tobacco activists also run rally at Basabo and Dhaka Univeristy area to create awareness on smoke free and tobacco control law.

BATA, WBB Trust, Pratysha creates mass awareness on smoke free environment as per tobacco control law since 2006. From 2010, Dhaka Metrapolitan Police (DMP) taking led this initiative with BATA, WBB Trust and Pratysha to ensure smoke free environments at each of public places. DMP also recived BATA national award 2011 for their anti-tobacco initiatives.

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NGO News Report :

Aiming to implement the existing tobacco control law to prevent the illegal promotion of tobacco and tobacco products, stopping the use of tobacco and demanding the adoption of the FCTC article 5.3 directives during all sorts of commercial activities undertaken by tobacco companies, a Policy Dialogue titled ‘Tobacco Cos’ Tricky Tactics and Law Violation: Our Responsibilities to Protect Public Health’, with the joint initiative of PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), has been held at the VIP lounge of the National Press Club, Dhaka. Mr. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the Parliament Member for Dhaka-9 constituency attended the event as the chief guest, while Dr. Habibe Millat, Parliament Member of Sirajganj-2 constituency with Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury of Rangpur-2 constituency, and Md. Nabi Newaz of Jhenidah-3 constituency were the special guests at the Policy Dialogue. WHO Technical Officer (Tobacco Control) in Bangladesh, Dr. Mahfuzul Huq, Taifur Rahman- Country Director (Bangladesh) for Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK), former coordinator of the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) under Health and Family Welfare Ministry – Amin Ul Ahsan were the special discussants at the event. Md. Hasan Shahriar, Coordinator of PROGGA presented the key note at the Policy Dialogue and it was presided over by Mozammel Hossain, Editor of the Daily Shokaler Khabor, and it was moderated by Nadira Kiron, Co-convener of ATMA.

It was said at the dialogue that although there are strict restrictions in Bangladesh over tobacco products’ advertisements, promotions and sponsorship, there are no such legal restrictions about stopping the allurements and nosiness of the tobacco companies. Consequently, the tobacco companies are adopting different innovative tricky techniques across the country to expand their business. They are also hampering the tobacco control law implementation. Although the FCTC Article 5.3 directs the government to formulate necessary rules and regulations to prevent the tobacco companies’ interference, there are no reflections of the directives in the law. As a result, the law could not bring the desired result and the public health is getting damaged. According to WHO (2004), around 57,000 people die as the direct result of tobacco use and around 382,000 people turn crippled.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, Dhaka-9 at his speech said that tobacco companies are unusual companies that sell products to hasten the death of humans. So, they are very cunningly violating the existing tobacco control law and promoting their products and leading the youths and the public health as well towards hazards. He urged the authority to stringently apply the tobacco control law. By the same time, he also demanded to formulate a ‘National Tobacco Control Policy’ which will be able to reduce the demands of tobacco, and on the other side it will be effective to control the production too.

Besides, he also underscored to allocate budget for the National Tobacco Control Cell (under the Health Ministry) so that the activities undertaken by the government could be implemented effectively. He also promised to continue work under the `National Platform’ and placing tobacco tax related proposal in the upcoming Parliament Session for the National Budget 2015-16.

Dr. Habibe Millat MP Sirajganj-2, in his speech said that the existing law should be strictly enforced to stop the advertisements and promotions of tobacco products and simultaneously social campaigns should be undertaken to familiarize the rules and regulations of the law among the commoners to get the best result of the law. Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahsanul Haque MP, Rangpur-2 constituency said that declaration of tobacco products’ sale ban beside the educational institutions is a must to save the youths from the tobacco aggression. Mr. Md. Nabi Newaz MP of Jhenidah-3 constituency said, we want to save people as we are law makers, and thus we will work together to control tobacco both inside and outside of the Parliament.

Panel discussant, at the event, Dr Mahfuzul Huq, Technical Officer (Tobacco Control) of WHO said that around 300 to 400 crore taka has been being earned from the 1 percent health development surcharge and a portion of the revenue may be invested for the tobacco control in the country. Taifur Rahman, Country Director for CTFK in Bangladesh, said that we should not think the tobacco companies as a usual trading company as they sell deaths and the state should formulate rules and regulations to regulate them. Amin-Ul-Ahsan, former Coordinator for the NTCC said that the `authorized officers’ in law implementation should be more attentive and as all the offences are noticeable; there are opportunity to lodge cases if anyone seen violation of this law. Officials of the respective departments under the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and mass media and tobacco control activists among others spoke at the occasion.

The Policy Dialogue demanded to implement the existing tobacco control law strictly, and to formulate and implement required regulations under the directives of the FCTC Article 5.3 to curb commercial activities of tobacco companies adopted aiming to increase the tobacco use in the country.

The events have been highlighted on both local and national media, and a compilation of the media coverage is attached herein for your convenience.

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Around hundreds of vehicles were stuck at the Khamar Bari intersection on Thursday at 10.00am. A bus driver of a minibus from Gabtoli (route # 22/A) was smoking cigarette sitting on his driving seat. His assistant was smoking another cigarette right on the entrance of the bus. Several women, who took their seats beside the driver, were trying to protect themselves by covering their noses from the cigarettes smokes attacking them from both the sides of the driver and his assistant.

Like this driver and his assistant, many of the people smoke on public transports or at public places, but smoking at such places or vehicles is a punishable offense after the Tobacco Control Rules, 2015 that has been passed in March 12 of the year.

To control the production, usages, trading and advertisement of tobacco and tobacco products, the government has formulated and passed the Smoking and Tobacco Products (Usages) Control Act in 2005 and the Rules for the act was formulated in 2006.

Due to some loopholes, the tobacco control law failed to work effectively. Thus, the law was amended accordingly in May, 2013. After 22 months of passing of the amended tobacco control law, its Rules have been passed in March 12, 2015. Earlier, it was told that the law cannot be implied properly for the want of Rules.

The new Rules contain sections to protect the females and children from the damages caused by passive smoking. Besides, the Rules has made a fine of Tk 300 for smoking at educational institutions, hospitals, office, court premises, covered workplaces and other public places and public transports.

Besides, the Rules also order to exhibit anti-smoking warnings ‘Do not smoke. It is a punishable offense’ both in Bengali and English language at the public places and public transports. There are penalty provisions too if the notices are ignored or not exhibited.

When asked about the tobacco control law implementation, S M Zahangir Alam Sarker, Additional Police Superintendent of DMP mass media cell, said “Public and private campaigns are required to raises awareness about the law. The law is being implemented in some cases. But it is not in full fledge for the want to publicity.”

PROGGA, a leading private research organization, works to enhance the capacity of mass media activists in tobacco control. A B M Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA said, “People who are assigned with the law enforcement are unaware of the law and they lack willingness in implementation.” “Public awareness should be increased to get the desired result of the law”, added Zubair.

According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2009, around 4 crore and 13 lakh people aged above 15 years use tobacco. Following the WHO, 57,000 people in Bangladesh die of tobacco use and around 382,000 turns crippled.

Local and international tobacco companies are influencing the tobacco control activities in Bangladesh to sustain their business and consequently they are adopting different tricky measures too. Manipulation, direct and indirect political pressure, sponsorship on events, crating front groups to support them, financing in pro-tobacco research activities etc. are the very common methods that the tobacco companies adopt here. Marking the upcoming National Budget, they have started lobbying with the relevant bodies of the government so that they could get tax exemptions.

Tobacco companies are adopting different tricky measures to advertise their tobacco products in different parts of the country like displaying empty cigarette packets of retail stores in exchange of a monthly installment, offering small gifts to the cigarette sellers, decorating the stores, organizing concerts, arranging campaigns at the private universities in the guise of creating employment, the ‘CSR’ activities and many more.

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However, he received many other prestigious awards/scholarships including ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2006’ and BATA also received award ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2001’ by World Health Organization (WHO). BATA also considered as model civil society movement against tobacco throughout the world and it is documented joint publication by the The World Bank and Research for International Tobacco Control (RITC). The story titiled “Building Momentum for Tobacco Control: The Case of Bangladesh” and book titled Tobacco Control Policy: Strategies, Successes & Setbacks.

Saifuddin Ahmed is involved couple of research on tobacco control perspective. His research articles and abstracts were published peer reviewed journal and various international conferences publication. One of most repued research on tobacco control, “Hungry for Tobacco: An analysis of the economic impact of tobacco consumption on the poor in Bangladesh” is published in ‘Tobacco Control’ in 2001; it is an international peer-reviewed journal for health professionals and others in tobacco control. To consider this research, World Health Organization (WHO) selected theme (tobacco and poverty: a vicious circle) for World No Tobacco Day 2004. His another joint research “Gainfully Employed? an inquiry into Bidi-dependent livelihood in Bangladesh” is published in ‘Tobacco Control’ in 2011.

Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed is representating civil society to the various conferences and events on global tobacco control since 1998. He attended 5 of Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT), held every 3 years from 2001 to 2013 (from 6th to 10th) and 5 of World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) held every 3 years from 2000 to 2012 (11th to 15th). He represented to the Inter-governmental Negotiating Body (INB) and Conference of the Party (COP) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, he also attended couple of World Health Assembly (WHA), World Lung Conference (WLC) and World Cancer Congress (WCC) with his presentations.

It needs to mention that, due to delay of visa process, Saifuddin Ahmed is not able to joint award reciving event at Abu Dhabi. On-be-half of Saifuddin Ahmed, Ms. Debra Efromson, the international advisor of BATA recived this award from Dr. John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society and Ms. Sally Cowal, Senior Vice President Global Program, American Cancer Society. Dr. Piyush Gupta, CEO and Neha Tripathi Director of Cancer Aid Society India were present.

Due to his professional carrer on last 18 years on global tobacco control, he travelled more than 40 countries including Australia, Brazil, Bhutan, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hongkong, Hangery, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laus, Kenia, Mayanmar, Maldwip, Malayeshia, Mexico, Nedarland, Norway, Philipine, South Africa, South Korea, SriLanka, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Uruguye, UAE, UK and USA.

Bio of Saifuddin Ahmed

Saifuddin Ahmed is Founder and Executive Director of the Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust since 1998. He is playing role as coordinator Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA) since it’s established in 1999 to successfully fight against BATs John Player Gold Leaf promotional campaign Voyage of Discovery.

BATA actively involved as civil society on developing process of the WHO FCTC and founding member of FCA. BATA also considered as model civil society movement against tobacco throughout the world and it is documented joint publication by The World Bank and Research for International Tobacco Control (RITC).

The story titled “Building Momentum for Tobacco Control: The Case of Bangladesh” and book titled Tobacco Control Policy: Strategies, Successes & Setbacks. BATA is strong civil society movement and has a network of over 700 local organizations throughout Bangladesh working together on tobacco control issue.

BATA was awarded on ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2001’ by the WHO. As activist, Saifuddin Ahmed also received ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2006’ by the WHO. BATA is celebrating it’s founding day (9 October) as National No Tobacco Day since 2011 declared by BATA coordinator in a 12th year anniversary program.

Saifuddin Ahmed is involved with many research and his research articles and abstracts is published peer reviewed journal and various international conference publication. He is co-author of reputed research, “Hungry for Tobacco: An analysis of the economic impact of tobacco consumption on the poor in Bangladesh” is published in ‘Tobacco Control’ in 2001. Based on this research, WHO selected theme (tobacco and poverty: a vicious circle) for World No Tobacco Day 2004.

He is also co-author of “Gainfully Employed?: an inquiry into Bidi-dependent livelihood in Bangladesh” is published in ‘Tobacco Control’ in 2011. He is author/co-author of about 15 publications and editor/co-editor of other 20 publications on tobacco control.

Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed represented civil society to the various conferences and events on global tobacco control since 1998. He attended six (5th to 10th) Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT) from 1998 to 2013 and five (11th to 15th) World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) from 2000 to 2012. He missed 16th WCTOH due to visa problem. He also represented each of Inter-governmental Negotiating Body (INB) and Conference of the Party (COP) of the FCTC.

He attended couple of World Health Assembly (WHA), World Lung Conference (WLC) and World Cancer Congress (WCC). He also attended many other local, regional, continental and global meeting, conferences on tobacco control invited guest.

He travelled more than 40 countries from Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, North and South America continent to attend various international conference and events.

Saifuddin Ahmed also served as member of WHO Ad-hoc Study Group on Alternative Crops and Law Drafting Committee on Tobacco Control Law under Ministry of Health of the Government of Bangladesh. He is also serving member of National Task forces for Tobacco Control Law implementation and life member of Bangladeshi Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), national civil society platform on environmental perspective.

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Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO in collaboration with Asian Center for Environmental Health jointly hosted a consultation for the discussion of: alternative dental amalgam curriculum; development of guidelines for the control of, supply and manufacture of mercury amalgam; the management of mercury waste, and for the ultimate elimination of mercury from dentistry on a national scale.

In association with World Alliance for Mercury Free Dentistry (WAMFD) the consultation titled “Legislation & Alternative Curriculum towards Mercury Free Dentistry” was held yesterday, March 14, 2015, Saturday, at 10:30 am at Taj Lily Green, House #751, 11th Floor, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

The following high-profile guests were present at the event: Major General Md. Jahangir Hossain Mollik, Directorate General of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Gov. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as Chief Guest; Brigadier General Golum Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Advisor Specialist in Dentistry, Combined Military hospital, Dhaka, as a guest of honour. Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary, Government of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO presided the program. The keynote speaker of the program was Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General, ESDO; Vice President (South Asia), World Alliance of Mercury Free Dentistry, and UNEP Mercury Expert.

In his address, Brig. General Golum Mohiuddin Chowhury, Guest of Honour, highlighted the importance of national regulation to ban the use, import and sell of mercury amalgam by 2016-2020. He said, “It is a high-time that the Government of Bangladesh thinks about the phase-out of mercury amalgam.”

Within the discussion, Assistant Professor, Dr. Mirza Arifur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Dental Society commended ESDO’s recommendation to stop the use of mercury amalgam in the treatment of women and children by the end of 2015.

In his closing remarks, Major General Md. Jahangir Hossain Mollik, Chief Guest, said, “We highly support ESDO’s drive to develop an alternative dental curriculum. One outcome from ESDO’s initiatives in the field of dentistry is that we have prepared a draft standard guideline for the use of restricted drugs and materials, including mercury amalgam, for use in hospitals, chambers and private clinics.”

Addressing the group, Dr Hossain, keynote speaker, said, “If awareness about mercury in dentistry is created then we can create a momentum for policy and implement mercury-free alternatives in time to fulfil the Minamata Convention by 2020.” The Minamata Convention is a United Nations-led global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

The session chair, Mr. Marghub Murshed, expressed his pleasure at the active participation of all participants and their willingness to join the various initiatives of mercury free dentistry. He urged for strong steps from all dentists and institutions to put a stop the use of mercury amalgam for fillings.
During the event, all distinguished guests shed light on the issues and praise the efforts of ESDO jointly taken with Asian Center for Environmental Health and WAMFD.

Mercury in dentistry is a significant source of environmental contamination and a serious threat to public health. Mercury amalgam is routinely used by dentists as a filling material for cavities in teeth, but it can have major health implications that include memory loss and kidney and brain damage in children. Mercury also leaks into atmosphere and the water supply when it is used during dental procedures, causing mercury pollution, which can be harmful to fish and reduce soil fertility and productivity.

As a result, ESDO makes the following recommendations:
Ø Make it an immediate priority to stop the use of mercury amalgam in the treatment of children and pregnant women to be end now.

Ø Develop an alternative dental curriculum with a specific chapter on the dental restoration process of amalgam, its harm to dental staff, patients and the environment and safe removal procedure of existing amalgam filling by the end of 2015.

Ø Ratify Minamata Convention as soon as possible and impose import ban of Mercury.

Ø Pass national regulation to ban the use, import and sell of mercury amalgam by 2016

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The main objectives of the project are to create public awareness, as well as strengthening capacities to replace mercury-added products and ensure the environmentally sound management of end-of-life mercury-added products in Bangladesh. Dr. Abu Jafor Mahmood, Mercury Researcher and Retired professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka shared some information about how this mercury released into the environment.

He said, “It is notable that the products and equipment contained mercury or mercury compound have been frequently used in Bangladesh but most of the consumers are unknown about the fact. The equipment containing mercury and mercury compound have been imported into Bangladesh since long, which resulted into mercury release in the environment after disposal of such equipment”.

Workshop was chaired by Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary, Gov. of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO. He highlighted the fact that identification of mercury-added product and categorizing them is of great concern at the national level.

It is important to investigate their (mercury’s) trade and waste management, and identify opportunities for substitution by mercury-free alternatives. Mr. Murshed describing the notion of ESDO mercury-free initiatives and said that, ESDO has decided to run the project in order to facilitate such inventories of  mercury added products and identify the emission sources.

He urged the relevant stakeholders to extend their possible support to implement the project successfully. To present the overview of the project UNEP Mercury Expert and ESDO Secretary General Dr. Shahriar Hossain said, this project specifically focus on Identify mercury-added product categories of concern at the national level, investigate their trade and waste management, and identify opportunities for substitution by mercury-free alternatives.

He informed that the project aimed to assist the government to understand opportunities to control the import of mercury-added products and to promote mercury-free alternatives in accordance with the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

One of the major objective of this project is to create awareness on the hazards and risks of mercury among decision makers, relevant stakeholders, and the general public, in particular women, he added. Amongst others Mr. Mahmood Hasan Khan, Director (AQM), Department of Environment, Dr. Mohidus Samad Khan, Assistant Prof. Department of Chemical Engineering, BUET, Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Proffessor, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka, Khaleda Ahsan, Chief Engineer (add charge), DPHE took part on the discussion.

Over 80 professionals, experts and government from MoH&FW, MoEF, MoCom, MoI, DoE, DAE, DU, JU, BUET, BCSIR, City Corporation, BSTI, BDS, BARC, BPDB, paediatrics, electronic, jewellery, cosmetic, battery industries, Manufacturers Association, media participated in the inception workshop.

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The inception workshop on “Reduction of demand for mercury, in mercury containing products in Bangladesh” will be held on March 5, 2015, Thursday at 10:30 am to 1:00 pm at Taj Lily Green, House # 751, 11th floor, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

Dr. Abu Jafor Mahmood, Professor (Retired), Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka will accompany with Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary, Gov. of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO; Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Co-Chair, Asian Center for Environmental Health and UNEP Mercury Expert and Siddika Sultana, Executive Director, ESDO.

Professional experts from different government ministries, departments and Universities (DU, JU, BUET, BCSIR, City Corporation, BSTI, BDS, BARC, BPDB, Manufacturers Association etc.) and tread organizations representatives will attend.

The call to action and the workshop are both designed to encourage the effort towards the ratification and early implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and facilitate use of the provisions so as to manage mercury-added products in an environmentally sound manner.

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A Health Ministry official, following the report, seeking anonymity said that the deadline extension of implementing pictorial warning on tobacco packets is highly harmful for public health.

The draft tobacco control Rules underwent extensive analysis for several months at the Health and Law Ministry where the tobacco companies have manipulated the Draft after their benefits, and even the Health Minister had met with the representatives of multinational tobacco company which is completely illegal according to the international anti-tobacco treaty FCTC, but the Health Minister, denied the allegation with an excuse that he is able to meet anyone as a public representative, read the report.

Earlier, the tobacco companies appointed different consultant (e.g. printer’s owners association) to advocate them with the excuses that pictorial warning implementation will be delayed as the required machineries will have to be bought from international market, and thus they sought 10 months from the Health Ministry official to implement the pictorial warning.

The report also mentions that the amendments on the tobacco control law are important but could not be enforced for the negligence of the relevant officials. A neighboring country – Pakistan has also implemented the pictorial warning and the tobacco companies in the country are using 40 per cent of the total space of the packets while it will be 85 per cent from March of this year, reads the report.

Anti-tobacco experts, after the news, are on the view that implementing pictorial warning on tobacco packets is not a difficult one for Bangladesh and if the frightening images are on the packets, it will be helpful to uphold the negative consequences of tobacco use among the commoners.

The report also says that researchers have found that such pictorial warnings will be able to attract attention of smokers for about 7000 times in average annually that will be helpful to help them giving up smoking.

The detail of the report is available on the following link:
https://www.bkagoj1.com/print-edition/2015/02/25/20693.php

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Doctors now find themselves on the front lines of two increasingly connected issues: protecting human health and the earth’s climate. This coming May, at the World Health Organization’s 68th World Health Assembly, countries are poised to adopt the first resolution on air pollution and health. This resolution will help mobilize the health sector to coordinate action to reduce the nearly 7 million premature deaths annually due to air pollution, including 2.6 million due to outdoor air pollution and 3.3 million due to indoor pollution in the Asia-Pacific region alone.

To do this there will have to be a concerted global effort to curb emissions of a variety of air pollutants from many different sources. Several of these pollutants have adverse impacts on both health and climate. Because they ‘live’ in the atmosphere for a relatively short time, they are called ‘short-lived climate pollutants’ (SLCPs). Unlike the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2), which has an atmospheric lifetime of centuries, the concentration of SLCPs in the atmosphere drop rapidly after emissions are cut, leading to a quicker noticeable effect on the climate. In many cases, taking action to reduce SLCPs also reduces carbon dioxide, which is the most critical greenhouse gas in the long-term fight on climate change.

Two major short-lived climate pollutants that cause air pollution are black carbon and methane. More than half of the world’s black carbon and methane emissions are from Asia.

Black carbon is emitted into the atmosphere as tiny particles (‘soot’) that are created during incomplete combustion in sources such as cooking and heating stoves, heavy-duty diesel vehicles, open burning, and brick production. Black carbon is a key component of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). When inhaled, PM 2.5 penetrates deep into our lungs, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Black carbon particles also contribute to climate change by absorbing sunlight and warming the atmosphere. In the Himalayas, black carbon contributes to the melting of glaciers and to changes in monsoon cycles – with implications for water availability and agricultural production.

Reducing human exposure to black carbon from cookstoves alone could cut premature deaths in the Himalayan region by as much as three-quarters of a million people per year, possibly many more. Broaden the focus to include diesel engines, brick production, and other pollution sources and the number goes even higher. The effect on agriculture could be just as dramatic: more than 15 million metric tons of staple crops could be added to the region‘s food supply with the reduction of black carbon and other pollution.

Methane is a very powerful greenhouse gas, especially in the short term, with a warming potential up to 20 times that of carbon dioxide. About 60% of methane emissions are from human sources – primarily agriculture (livestock rearing and rice production), fossil fuel production and distribution, and municipal waste and wastewater treatment. While methane itself does not directly affect health, it reacts in the atmosphere with other gases to create tropospheric ozone. When inhaled, ozone can worsen bronchitis and emphysema, trigger asthma, and permanently damage lung tissue. It also attacks plants, leading to substantial declines in agricultural productivity.

A global resolution on air pollution and health would put health professionals at the forefront of air pollution reduction. Doctors are in the best position to advise patients on steps to reduce their exposure by doing things like wearing appropriate face masks while on the road or near emission sources and encouraging people to stop burning household waste in or near their homes and workplaces. Doctors can teach the public that exposure to air pollution does not only put lungs at risk, but it raises blood pressure. In fact, globally chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and lung cancer are not the number one air pollution-related killer; heart attack and stroke are responsible for more deaths. Doctors can also convince policy makers of the merits of lower-emitting systems of public transport, improved solid waste collection, clean cooking and heating stoves, and cleaner brick production.

Clinic and hospital administrators can play a leading role in promoting clean air policies by reducing air pollution in their own facilities and vehicles as well as educating patients, policy makers, and other key stakeholders about the health and climate benefits from reducing air pollution. For example, heavy-duty diesel ambulance vehicles can switch to cleaner fuel, clinics can replace kerosene lamps with solar-powered ones, and hospitals can launch awareness campaigns on the health and climate benefits of reduced air pollution.

By doing so healthcare professionals will be supporting a growing coalition of countries and organizations working to reduce short-lived climate pollutants in a way that maximizes benefits to climate, health, and agriculture. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants is a partnership set up in 2012. Today, the Coalition has more than 100 members representing countries, international organizations, NGOs, and private industry.

The Coalition has launched 11 initiatives, including in the Himalayan region, to address the main sources of air pollution. Specific initiatives focus on urban health, cookstoves, diesel engines, agriculture, municipal solid waste, and brick production. Organizations such as the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are leading efforts in our region. Given the potential these initiatives have to provide cross-cutting and practical solutions to some of our biggest health, development, and environmental issues, it is expected that more countries and organizations throughout Asia will see the multiple benefits of joining the Coalition.

The Coalition’s Working Group, its main governing body, will meet in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 22 to 27 February to discuss the work of the Coalition around the world as well as in the region. For more information, see the website: www.ccacoalition.org or contact the Coalition’s secretariat at [email protected].

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The UP member of Garjania Union Parishad said that children mostly engage into tobacco planting because of their poverty and even they miss their classes too. He also said that the guardians do not bother about the issue and many of the females and kids are getting affected with different diseases. The local agro-office is trying to prevent tobacco farming in the locality in different ways and continued their monitoring. It is reported that about 12,000 acres of lands have been used in Cox’sBazar, Ramu, Chakaria, Alikadam and the other surrounding areas and about 60,000 people are involved in the farming process and 20,000 of them are children. Even the doctors are on the view that labours engaged into tobacco farming may experience different diseases like cancer, bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory disorders, reads the report.

The detail of the report is available on the following link:
https://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/449521/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A3%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95

Birds leaving nest for tobacco

Earlier, different types of birds used to visit the paddy field in Khagrachharhi district for hunting insects and left over paddies but they rarely appear on the areas as the paddy fields have turned into tobacco plantations, reads another report on The Daily Prothom Alo. Birds usually avoid tobacco fields and environment pollutions for using chemical insecticides on the fields have taken the birds to a fictional level. Birds are only seen in places where tobacco is not grown. Experts are on the view that for the rampant tobacco cultivation on the district, the birds will be extinct some day and the environmental balance will be destroyed too.

The detail of the report is available on the following link:
https://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/449473/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A0%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%BF–

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Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Syed Monjurul Islam, graced the auspicious occasion as chief guest. Melissa Jones, Director of USAID’s Population, Health, Nutrition and Education programs joined; Mohammad Fazul Haque, Joint Secretory & Director Planning, Directorate General of Family Planning; Dr. Md. Shah Nawaz, ADG (Administration) , Directorate General of Health Services and Mohammad Wahd Hossain, Director General, NIPORT joined as special guests.

CEO and Global Director of Dnet and Chief Technical Advisor of MAMA Bangladesh, Dr. Ananya Raihan, and Atik Ahsan, Program Manager of the MAMA Bangladesh Initiative, as well as key partners, Chief of Party of MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project Dr. Ishtiaq Mannan, CEO of BEXIMCO Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Mr Rabbiur Reza, and Director of Multimode Group, Nasrin Fatima Awal Mintoo were also present.
“I’m proud to be a part of ‘Aponjon’. The partnership with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Access to Information Program were instrumental for the successful implementation of the program,” said Melissa Jones.

Honorable Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Syed Monjurul Islam, said that “the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been very closely engaged with the developments of the initiative since its beginning and it has been seen how dedicatedly and passionately Aponjon team has worked to make it a success.” He also said that the government is implementing a number of programs and projects in order to reduce maternal and infant deaths.

Chief of Party from USAID’s MaMoni Health Systems Strengthening Project, Dr. Ishtiaq Mannan, explained how MaMoni started its work to reduce maternal and child mortality only a few days before Aponjon began. He also talked about how the two projects have successfully worked together to save the lives of mothers and children in seven districts of Bangladesh.

Dnet has been implementing this program in association with MAMA Global and the financial support of USAID. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also extended its support towards this initiative. Users simply dial “16227” to access Aponjon services, and press 1 to register. This can be done through any mobile operator. Dnet now aims to reach every mother and child in the country through Aponjon.

More information about Aponjon
‘Aponjon’ 10K subscribers’ milestone was reached at end of December 2012 and 500,000 subscribers in May 2014; then within four months (on 21 September 2014) they reached the milestone of 1 Million Aponjon subscribers. It shows an almost exponential growth in ‘Aponjon’ subscribers’ acquisition. It reached this growth with the support from USAID/Bangladesh, MaMoni HSS and outreach partners, Corporate Founding Partners at national and international levels, MAMA Global Partners, Telecommunication Partners & Technical Support Providers, Communication Partners, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOH&FW), Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Dnet. Dnet, an ICT development organization and social enterprise of Bangladesh, launched Aponjon’s pilot phase in September, 2011 to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths by increasing the amount of information available to pregnant women, new mothers and their families. In August 2012, Aponjon was launched across Bangladesh and within two years the program reached almost all the districts.

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NGO News Report :: Bandarban lands losing fertility, woods and maternal health under severe threat. Tobacco companies have grabbed the lands of Bandarban and consequently the lands are getting destroyed for the tobacco cultivation on the farmlands and the tobacco companies are adopting numerous ill tactics to expand their business in the district, reads a report on the Daily Bhorer Kagoj on February 4, 2015 by Tutul Rahman, an ATMA member. Following the report, tobacco companies have built over 6000 tobacco furnaces to bake tobacco leaves and using the forest woods to fuel the furnaces. Studies have unveiled that about 31 per cent of the forest woods are burnt for tobacco farming and the lands rapidly loose fertility as frequently insecticides and fertilizers are used on the lands, according to the report.

Besides, the maternal reproductive health and health of the children are under severe threat for tobacco cultivation in the district, following the report. The report adds that many of the females are losing reproductive ability and respiratory disorders among the children are on rise in the district. The toxic smells emitted from the tobacco leaves are spreading diseases and disorders among them, believes specialists, according to the report. The detail of the report is available on the following link:

https://www.bhorerkagoj.net/epaper/2015/02/04/9/details/9_r2_c2.jpg

Tobacco cultivation with government subsidized fertilizer! Tobacco industry is using their ill tactics such as using government subsidy in an indirect way involving the farmers in tobacco cultivation instead of potato cultivation says in a report published on the popular on line news paper https://www.banglanews24.com on February 4, 2015 by Khorshed Alam Sagar, an ATMA member. Despite the government on principal do not support tobacco cultivation, the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), indirectly is providing subsidized fertilizers and irrigation support for tobacco cultivation. The farmers are getting these fertilizers with the influence of tobacco industry officials who are linked with DAE officers. These are all fertilizers for Potato cultivation. As the government did not come up with a policy on tobacco cultivation till now; the tobacco industry is taking benefits which are helping them to expand their business. See the detail report:
https://www.banglanews24.com/beta/fullnews/bn/364279.html

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NGO News Report :: 

Dr. Afroja Parvin, Chief Guest of the event said, most workers of our garments factory do not know the importance of sexual reproductive health or that they have a right to access health services. As a result, they often suffer in communicable diseases, pregnancy complications, incorrect use of family planning materials, reproductive infections and diseases which undermine the productivity of the Readymade Garments Industry. Women report missing up to 4-6 days work a month because of reproductive health issues.

Nari Unnayan Shakti has been working on sexual and reproductive health rights and HIV/AIDS prevention issues among 10,000 workers of 50 garments factories of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Savar areas. At the end of the event Jishan Garments thanked to Nari Unnayan Shakti for  their excellent effort.   

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NGO News Report ::

This year’s theme for World Wetlands Day – ‘Wetlands for our Future’ – highlights the vital importance of wetlands to the survival of humanity. It underpins the importance of keeping these ecosystems healthy and resilient into the future so that they can continue to support both human livelihoods and the unique biodiversity that depend on them.

Wetlands include our lakes, rivers, marshes, mangroves, sea grass beds, lagoons and coral reefs. At the global level, wetlands provide fish and rice that feed millions. Furthermore, they are the ‘kidneys’ of our planet owing to their important function in purifying the water that we depend on daily. In the Pacific islands, wetlands provide valuable ecosystem services that result in significant economic and conservation benefits, such as fisheries production, water storage and flood control, drought mitigation, shoreline stabilisation and protection, atmospheric carbon storage, maintenance of coastal water quality, recreation and tourism opportunities.

Unfortunately, the functions of wetlands and the benefits they provide are not widely known, understood or appreciated. This has resulted in the loss of approximately 64% of wetlands around the globe since 1900 and it is highly likely that this dismal trend is continuing.

A number of Pacific island countries are contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and as such are obligated to formulate and implement national planning to promote the conservation of their Ramsar Sites and other wetlands within their jurisdiction. Such planning relies very much on the availability of comprehensive, good quality data on wetlands.

One initiative being rolled out within the Pacific region to collate such wetland data and contribute in the long term toward reversing the trend of wetland degradation and loss in the region, is coordinated through an ongoing partnership between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention. During the latter half of 2014, a project to update the national wetland inventories for three Pacific island countries (Kiribati, Palau and Vanuatu) was completed.

“A first step towards planning for the conservation and wise use of wetlands is to document and understand their distribution, values and status. Up-to-date information on wetlands is currently either lacking or fragmented across the region and within Pacific island countries and territories themselves. This project is part of a wider effort by SPREP and the Ramsar Convention to progressively update the national wetland inventories for all Pacific island nations, and I am pleased that we have completed this effort for another three countries,” said Mr. Vainuupo Jungblut, Ramsar Officer for Oceania at SPREP.”

National Wetland Inventories are useful for a variety of purposes, more specifically, they can be a powerful tool in informing wetland conservation decisions, raising awareness of the importance of wetlands, influencing public perception of wetlands, creating ongoing monitoring, revealing trends over time, identifying priority sites for conservation management (e.g. for designating Ramsar Sites or other types of Protected Areas at the national level) and for planning and implementing appropriate conservation interventions for wetlands, especially in light of the impacts of climate change.

The updated national inventories were welcomed and applauded by the participating countries. “This is a great achievement for the Department and the country as a whole. The updated inventory will help towards our relevant planning and decision making at the government, province and community level,” said Mr. Trinison Tari of the Vanuatu Environment Department.

The project also trained national counterparts in Kiribati, Palau and Vanuatu to conduct future wetland inventory updates and to be able to use the information collated through the inventory process in national decision making.

“The wetland inventory training has enabled our staff to better understand the different types of wetlands found in an atoll setting, it also updated us on the existing biodiversity of our first Ramsar Site, Nooto North Tarawa. Furthermore, the training increased our understanding of the ecosystem services provided by different wetland types found in our country, this information is vital for informing planning by the government, island council and elders for the management of our Ramsar Site and other important wetlands in Kiribati,” said Mr. Arawaia Moiwa of the Kiribati Division of Environment and Conservation.

The project was made possible through financial support from the Government of Australia and the Convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region (Noumea Convention).

Across the Pacific region, The Directory of Wetlands in Oceania 1993 documented available information on the distribution, status and values of wetlands in Pacific Island Countries and Territories, however, most of this existing information currently needs updating. Thus, SPREP and the Ramsar Convention will continue working together to update national wetland inventories across the Pacific region.

This project implements one of the key priorities of the SPREP Regional Wetlands Action Plan for the Pacific Islands.

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NGO News Report ::

Tobacco farming has alarmingly increased in the Lalmonirhat district. It was grown on 23 thousand acres of lands in five Upazillas of the district in the last season and the lands for the same purpose would be much more this year, mentions the report.

The tobacco industry targeted huge paddy land for farming tobacco in this area. A number of tobacco farmers realized this ill tactics by the industries and organized rally to demand for alternative crops instead of tobacco farming in order to save their land’s fertility, their health and environment.

Day by day the district of Lalmonirhat is losing paddy land as tobacco is being cultivated instead. Therefore, it is highly imperative to formulate and implement a comprehensive tobacco cultivation policy to check tobacco cultivation in Bangladesh to prevent the upcoming land scarcity for cultivating food and cash crops.

See the detail report:
​https://www.thedailystar.net/how-profitable-is-tobacco-farming-60939

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NGO News Report ::

The distribution was arranged by EEP/Shiree, the Economic Empowerment of the Poorest programme, supervised by Rural Development and Cooperatives Division in conjunction with UK aid and Swiss Development Cooperation. EEP/Shiree is a livelihood and nutrition project helping to eradicate extreme poverty from Bangladesh.

The request for blankets came from EEP/Shiree’s partner NGOs who work with over one million disadvantaged people helping them to take steps (Shiree) out of extreme poverty. In response to the humanitarian need, UK aid donated about Tk. 60,00,000 (GBP 50,000) and EEP procured 19,000 locally sourced blankets.

The State Minister welcomed the partnership with UK aid and EEP and their ability to respond quickly and generously to the needs of the extreme poor. He said: “On behalf of the Government of Bangladesh, I congratulate UK aid and our EEP/Shiree project for this much needed and timely intervention for our poor and disadvantaged citizens. This distribution of blankets will help many to get through the winter without falling ill and losing their livelihoods.”

EEP/Shiree and its partner NGOs are distributing the 19,000 blankets to cold affected communities across the country. This will reduce the impact of cold-related illness on the extreme poor, especially children and the elderly.

The State Minister attended distribution in Gangachara Upazilla of Rangpur District. Local administration and locally elected bodies extended their full support for this humanitarian winter initiative in this and the other targeted districts.

Distribution is underway in Bagerhat, Bandarban, Barguna, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Jessore, Khulna, Kishoregonj, Kurigram, Naogaon, Patuakhali, Perojpur, Rajshahi, Rangamati, Rangpur, Satkhira and Sunamgonj districts.

EEP/Shiree’s partner NGOs include CARE Bangladesh, Caritas, Concern Worldwide, Green Hill, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Mahideb Jubo Somaj Kallayan Somity, Netz Bangladesh, Oxfam, Practical Action Bangladesh, Save the Children, Shushilan and Uttaran.

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NGO News Report ::

Today, 31 December 2014 at morning, speakers made above opinion while they inaugurated clean Dhaka Campaign from 34^th Ward of Dhaka North City Corporation area at Mohammadpur.

The clean Dhaka campaign jointly organized by the Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA), Dhanmondi Kochikantha School, Dhaka Ideal Cadet School, Chinnomul Government Primary School, Mohammadia Alia Madrasa, Alif Ideal Public School, Podatic and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust. Neighborhoods of this word willingly joined with the family in this campaign.

Abu Naser Khan, renowned environmentalist and founder chairman of POBA was chief guest at the inauguration clean campaign, while social activist and neighborhood of Ward 31; Manzur Hasan Dilu moderated. Among others, Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Director of WBB Trust; Nurul Islam; Principle of Kochikantha School, Billal Hossain; Advocate Rasesh Khan; President of Rayer Bazar President of Ward Jubo Leage, local residents and social activist Osman Goni Shahjahan, Nazrul Islam, Shamsul Alam Tuhin; Manager of Ecovillage Housing Society were attended.

Abu Naser Khan said that; clean neighborhood can build a healthy society. Everyone should care about the areas where they live. If all citizens ensure to make our locality clean, then whole country will be clean at a time. This is not just start of Clean campaign; we hope everyone will keep this oath to maintain environment friendly locality.

Abu Naser Khan also said that, we everyone is responsible for environment and development of our country. So we should play active role to make city and country better.

Speakers asked to all City Corporations to ensure waste basket after every 100 meters and waste should remove every day from these waste baskets. Organizers also informed that, this is just start. Gradually this clean Dhaka campaign will shift to throughout the city.

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NGO News Report :: 

The Executive Director of Nari Unnayan Shakti Dr. Afroja Parvin was the chief discussant at the event. Dr. Afroja called the civil society to protest and prevent eve-teasing and sexual harassment especially in city public transport. Asian TV Narayanganj Correspondent Khaled Bin Firoz, Bijoy TV Correspondent Saifuddin Ahmed Muktar, Eminent social activist Kazi Mahbub Alam and Field volunteer leader of NUS Nasrin Akter Tumpa spokes on the occasion. Tumpa at the end of youth women urged government to resist violence and eve-teasing from Narayanganj.

Nari Unnayan Shakti has been working to prevent sexual harassment and eve-teasing in Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Jessore  and Kustia. Besides, NUS is providing legal aid and Mock Trial service to the victims in Dhaka city.  

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NGO News Report :: 

Consequently, the lands are losing fertility and people of all classes are under severe health threat and about 50, 000 acres of the croplands in Bandarban are now under tobacco cultivation, and thousands of acres have been destroyed so far to grow the toxic plants, according to the report.

The report also narrates that the farmers of the district said that tobacco farming inputs like seeds and seedbeds, fertilizers, insecticides and other necessary materials etc. are easily available from tobacco companies whereas all such facilities are difficult to arrange for food crops cultivation. Even they also get advance and flexible loans from the tobacco companies to grow tobacco on the lands and need not to worry about the price and selling of the produced. Regarding food crops, they are to experience total loss in as there is no buyer of the crops, no preservation facilities for the crops and at times they are to sell the produced at very a lower price, following the report. Due to food crops’ shortage, the local inhabitants are to buy them at a higher price in the current season where it was supposed to be grown in plenty on the district’s lands.

Farmers, following the report, said that earlier they had tried to get facilities from the government in food crop cultivation, but did not get any, and thus the tobacco companies are exploiting their poverty- compelling them into tobacco farming with different allurement and attractive facilities. Shockingly, the tobacco companies have grabbed about 300 acres of reserved forest to grow tobacco in Bandarban district. On the other hand, in the name of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the tobacco companies are assisting the farmers into tobacco production. Under its project ‘Deepto’, British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) has supplied solar energy and pure drinking water facilities to tobacco farmers in four villages in Bandarban and Khagrachharhi districts, points the report.

The issue of tobacco farming expansion is horrible, believes Dr. Asaduzzaman of BIDS and opined that if such expansion continues, it will create a food shortage in the district soon.

PROGGA, a private research organization believes that tobacco companies are entrapping the farmers with loan and other facilities and they (farmers) are also growing the toxic plant for a temporary profit, mentions the report. An effective tobacco farming policy with a provision to regulate tobacco companies ill tactics is a must to control the situation, according to PROGGA and the organization urges the government to formulate necessary Policy and implement them to control the tobacco farming.

For the detail report, see the following link:

​https://www.bkagoj1.com/online/2014/12/27/33445.php#sthash.dio4nkEN.sl23mi3L.dpuf

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NGO News Report :: 

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Office of Sirajgonj district, Md. Shafiqul Islam, led this mobile court along with two executive magistrates Miltan Chandra Roy and Mohammad Hashib Sarker.  The mobile court found that BAT is doing illegal tobacco advertisements. Then, mobile court caught on spot with illegal promotional materials and punished Faysal Ahmed Rubel, area coordinator of Interspeed.

Offenders Faysal Ahmed Rubel informed to mobile court and and said that they (officials of Interspeed; a media agency) are promoting BATs brand as per agreement.

Mobile court then destroyed illegal promotional materials of BATs tobacco products and asked them to obey tobacco control law.

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NGO News Desk :: 

Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP of Dhaka 9 was the Chief Guest while the Special Guests were –Begum Fazilatun Nasa Bappy MP of seat 30 from reserved women seats, Mohammad Nabi Newaj MP of Jhenidah 3, and Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury MP of Rangpur 2. Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) professorial fellow, Dr. M Asaduzzaman participated as the expert discussant at the dialogue and Bangladesh representative of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), Taifur Rahman presented the key note at the Policy Dialogue. The programme was presided over by Muzammil Hossain, Editor, The Daily Shokaler Khabar with the moderation of Nadira Kiran, ATMA Co-convener. Mass media activists and leaders from different tobacco control platforms also spoke at the occasion.

Speakers at the dialogue suggested forming a National Platform for the purpose and also urged to prepare the Draft Tobacco Cultivation Control Policy Bill to place at the coming National Parliament session schedule to start from next March 2015.

Since tobacco companies are not enlisted financial institution, and thus they cannot provide any sort of credit services, they added. So, they urged the Finance Ministry to immediately take necessary steps to stop the credit programmes conducted by the tobacco companies. Also, recommend to spend some money from fund of 250 crore generated from ‘1% Health Development Surchage’ for rehabilitation and alternative employment of tobacco farmers.

The policy dialogue has received substantial media attention, and the gathered media reports (print, online, and electronic) are compiled herein for your convenience.

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The GIDRM has been designed as a network, bringing together multiple stakeholders from developing, emerging and industrialised nations working in public administrations, academia, civil society and the private sector. For the initial pilot phase, GIDRM is being implemented in eight countries including Bangladesh, India, China, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia. In Bangladesh the project aims at promoting fire safety, by providing training aids and sharing skills and knowledge. A mission from the Fire Brigade of the City of Bonn visited Bangladesh in last October. It was followed by a similar mission from Bangladesh in November which included a study tour on fire safety in the industry and risk management in Germany.

Stressing the importance of this timely initiative, the Ambassador recalled the tragic accidents of Tazreen Fashions and Rana Plaza and underscored the necessity of an effective disaster management mechanism in Bangladesh with strong and capable actors across different segments of the society. He was hopeful that the knowledge sharing component of the initiative would quickly benefit Bangladesh’s disaster response capacity. “This country has a long history of brave response to disasters. The experience is there. However, Germany may be able to help when it comes to planning, methodology, logistics and the use of state of the art equipment in order to reduce casualties in the future”, Conze concluded.

The program was also attended by officials from Bangladesh Fire and Civil Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. The Director General of the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, Brigadier Ali Ahmed Khan said that Fire Service and Civil Defense is the first responder organization for any kind of disaster in Bangladesh, and as such responsible for adequate response time. Professional skills of the highest standards were of the essence for fire fighters in Bangladesh whose capabilities were being closely watched in the wake of recent tragedies. He welcomed GIZ’s initiatives to facilitate training for fire fighters and expressed his appreciation for Germany’s support.

The outgoing Country Director of GIZ, Olaf Handloegten, has been named Head of GIDRM, based in Berlin. At his last press conference in Dhaka before leaving the country, Olaf Handloegten said that “Germany has learned that disasters can only be tackled effectively if we combine our efforts and link professional full-time government services with the strengths of professionally trained volunteers from the communities. This is one key prerequisite to strengthen the resilience of a nation. GIZ is pleased to see the German and Bangladeshi Fire Services work hand in hand towards a better response preparedness.”

The Fire Safety Mission returning from training in Germany included participants from the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense, Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and the Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs.

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We are ashamed! This is not only violation of law, it is also violation of his oath and constitution. However, morally smoking is dishonorable and bad-mannered.

Although, minister is already apologies for his unaccepted deeds, which already comes in news media. Minister himself ashamed. He realized that it was his unconscious mind what he did. He also committed that he will never do such act for ever. He requests nations to forgive him for his mis-deed.

BATA appreciate his understanding. At the same time, we hope that minister will maintain what he committed and will obey the tobacco control law. BATA also hope that he will join tobacco control movement to get back his honor, what he lost.

It is noted that, smoking is prohibited in public places and public transports and also it is punishable offence by law titled “Smoking and Tobacco Products Uses (control) (Amendment) Act 2013”. And law should be equal for everyone.

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NGO News Report ::  About 7.5 lakh births could be minimised in the country each year by only eliminating child marriage, says a population expert.   “In Bangladesh, about 17 percent of girls get married before reaching 15 while most of them give birth to two children before reaching 18 years,” said country director of Population Council Dr Ubaidur Rob on Wednesday.

Dr Ubaidur came up with the view in his power-point marking the launching of State of World Population Report 2013. UNFPA Bangladesh organised the launching ceremony at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.   This year the report focuses an important and emerging global concern – ‘Motherhood in Childhood: Facing the challenges of adolescent pregnancy’.   Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Ministry MM Neaz Uddin and officer-in-charge of UNFPA Bangladesh Pornchai Suchitta, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Dr Ubaidur said about 58 percent of adolescents by age of 19 begin childbearing while 51 percent have given birth, 7 percent get pregnant with first child and 8 percent have two children.   He said about 194 pregnant mother die while giving birth in every one lakh pregnant mother in the country. And most of them are adolescent mothers.   Today, there are about 580 million adolescent girls in the world. Four out of five of them live in developing countries. Bangladesh ranks third in the adolescent pregnancy in the world — highest in the Asia.   Dr Ubaidur said child marriage is highly prevalent in Khulna, Rangpur and Rajshahi regions due to social insecurity while Sylhet region is comparatively is in a better position as girls in the region get married at the age of 18.   He suggested investing in adolescent girls’ education and creating mass awareness about the worst consequence of early marriage to check child marriage in the country.

Pornchai Suchitta said adolescents comprise about half of the youth population of Bangladesh. “Adolescence is a critical time for many people and the skilled acquired during this period can set up the foundation of the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when many young people are extremely vulnerable to risks due to their position in between childhood and adulthood,” he said.   He said while Bangladesh has made great stride in addressing many issues like malnourishment and child lobur, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights must be given more attention.

Neaz Uddin stressed the need for educating people in society so that they can be aware of the consequences of child marriage and raise their voice to stop it.   Motherhood in childhood is a huge global problem, especially in developing countries, where every year 7.3 million girls under 18 give birth, says the State of World Population 2013 released by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund today.   Of these 7.3 million births, 2 million are to girls 14 or younger, who suffer the gravest long-term health and social consequences from pregnancy, including high rates of maternal death and obstetric fistula.

The report places particular emphasis on girls 14 and younger who are at double risk of maternal death and obstetric fistula.   Motherhood in childhood offers a new perspective on adolescent pregnancy, looking not only at the girls’ behaviour as a cause of early pregnancy, but also at the actions of their families, communities and governments.   According to the report, early pregnancy takes a toll on a girl’s health, education and rights. It also prevents her from realising her potential and adversely impacts the baby.

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The research organisation made this observation in its research ‘Poverty, Hunger, Nutrition, and Food Production in Bangladesh,’ released coinciding the observance of the World Food Day 2013.

In 1991-92, the percentage of hungry people was 37.9 of the total population and reduced to 24 in 2012 with an annual rate of reduction by 1.79 percent. On the other hand, the poor people living below the absolute poverty line was 56.7 percent of total population in 1991-92 and reduced to 29.99 percent in 2012.

The rate of reduction in extreme poverty increased from 1.95 percent between 1991-92 and 2000 to 4.32 percent during 2000 to 2012. On the contrary, the rate of reduction in hunger has declined decreased from 1.95 percent during 1991-92 to 2000 to 4.32 percent between 2000 and 2012.

The think-tank states that the average food deficit between 1990 and 2012 in Bangladesh was 163.52 kcal/caput/day. The organisation notes that rice demand might increase to 24.56 million ton against the population of 172.53 million in 2020. “This demand might further increase to 28.01, 32.02 and 36.61 million ton in 2030, 2040 and 2050 respectively to feed the population of 196.74, 224.95 and 257.20 in the corresponding years,” predicts the Unnayan Onneshan.

Although prevalence of malnutrition is declining over the years, the research organisation detects that the rate of decline has reduced among the lowest income quintile. The rate of reduction in malnutrition of women among the lowest income quintile has decreased with an annual rate of 2.62 percent from 47.1 percent in 2004 to 43.4 percent in 2007. This rate, however, has slowed down to 1.9 percent during 2007 and 2011, adds the report.

The number of children with underweight has decreased from 59.3 percent in 2004 to 50.3 percent in 2011 with an annual rate of 2.17 percent among the lowest income category. The number of underweight children with highest income category decreased from 30.2 percent in 2004 to 20.9 percent in 2011 with an annual rate of 4.4 percent.

The research organistaion points out that the price hike of food commodities has eroded the purchasing power of the marginalised section. ‘About 0.04 million people might newly add to the total population living under the poverty line due to one percent increase in the food inflation,’ notes the think-tank with caution.

The report identifies that challenge for agriculture sector in Bangladesh is to meet food demand for huge population along with keeping food prices within an accessible limit of the poor for ensuring food security.

The Unnayan Onneshan finds market failure in the form of predatory price fixing and price manipulation along with the lack of government intervention exerting pressure on price, resulting into increases in prices as well as volatility of price. “The strengthening of institutions to address market failures can be a better way to address both volatility and upward pressure on prices,” adds the report.

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Matiur Rahman Nahid :: Different kind of election is occurring from Local Government (Union/Upozila, Pouroshova/City Corporation) and National Level (Parliament election) under Election Commission. During this election campaign, teen-age child & youth are involved; we often see that they received free tobacco products (bidi, cigarette or chew tobacco) from candidate. So one month before the election, they get free tobacco products & habituated with this death-habit smoking & tobacco using. Habit with smoking or tobacco products then shift them into other drug habit. So, to ensure healthy generation, tobacco products should ban during election campaign.

Speakers demanded in a discussion on National No Tobacco Day 2013 & Anti tobacco Award 2012 handed over ceremony at 11 am at National Press Club meeting room. Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA) organized this event with theme of ‘Know & Obey Tobacco Control Law’. Eminent civil society leader Syed Abul Moksud, Anti Tobacco Award 2012 recipient Professor Dr. Pran Gopal Datta; Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Ishrat Chowdhury, Public health advisor of the International Union Against TB & Lung Disease (The Union) spoke as guest of honor. BATA coordinator Saifuddin Ahmed presided over this event, while Helal Ahmed, Secretary General of Pratysha Anti Drug Club delivers welcome speech and Rafiqul Islam Milon; Advisor of MANOBIK read the tribute letter of Professor Pran Gopla Datta. Meeting was moderated by Aminul Islam Sujon, Executive Editor of Swamaswar (anti tobacco newspaper).

Syed Abul Moksud share experience from his personal life that, my father died due to lung cancer. He quit smoking when his cancer founded, but it was too late. Everyone should be tobacco free for better health & beautiful life. He also told that, recently amended tobacco control law should be enforced strictly & should stop all violation including promotional campaign by Tobacco Company. If anyone violate tobacco control law they should be under punishment and it needs to monitor who is violating. BATA & it’s member organizations throughout the country could monitor tobacco control law implementation & violation situation for better enforcement. It also needs to provide power to local government & school teachers & college principals to ensure law implementation within their jurisdiction.

Professor Pran Gopal Datta told; tobacco is major cause of death worldwide & this death ratio could be prevented. Developed countries are controlling tobacco with strong law & increase tobacco taxes. To ensure addiction free next generation, mass media should be more active. After receiving Anti Tobacco Award 2012 (a gold medal, crest & certificate), Professor Pran Gopal Datta told that, I never work for any award or honor. Today how BATA honor me, I am obliged to be more active in future, its created more liability & responsibility.

BATA coordinator Saifuddin Ahmed demanded ban using of tobacco products during election campaign. He told, election commissions are responsible to ensure smoke-free environment during all election campaign. He also urged to all political parties to include anti tobacco section into the election manifesto. Ms. Ishrat Chowdhury told, tobacco companies doing illegal propaganda and trying to addict teen-age & youth. BATA and its member organization should be aware of violation by Tobacco Company. Whenever, anti tobacco activist will find any violation or illegal promotional campaign by Tobacco Company, it needs to report to administration for action against law violation.

At the end of this event, Syed Abul Moksud & Saifuddin Ahmed handed-over the gold medal, certificate to Professor Pran Gopal Datta for his tremendous contribution on tobacco control. All the participants of this event stand and congratulate with hands together.  However, before this discussion, BATA also organized promotional campaign for tobacco control with the theme of ‘Know & Obey tobacco control law’ in front of National Press Club. BATA and about 80 organizations representatives were participated.

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