Measles crisis exposes need for child-safe cities
The Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) has called for coordinated action by health, urban planning and local government authorities to create child-friendly environments, saying the recent measles outbreak highlights the urgent need to integrate children’s health into urban and regional planning.
The planners’ body said protecting children requires more than medical treatment, stressing that safe and well-planned neighbourhoods are equally vital for their wellbeing.
In a press release issued on Thursday, BIP said ensuring healthcare for children is a basic civic right, but it must be complemented by safe living environments and properly planned urban and rural settlements.
The organisation, which represents the country’s urban, regional and rural planners, said there is no substitute for sound planning in building child-friendly and liveable cities and villages.
Expressing deep concern over the recent measles outbreak and the resulting infections and deaths among children, BIP urged authorities to strengthen not only treatment and public health services but also efforts to create healthier and safer living environments.
According to the organisation, protecting children’s health cannot be limited to hospitals and medical care.
It said access to safe drinking water, sanitation, hygienic housing, open and green spaces, safe transport systems, effective traffic management, pollution-free surroundings and public healthcare facilities are all essential elements of child-friendly communities. BIP added that planned urbanisation and effective land-use planning can help ensure these services are available to people across the country.
The organisation warned that children living in densely populated and unplanned urban areas face greater health risks, making it essential for urban and regional planning to adopt a “Child-Sensitive Planning” framework that places child health, safety and welfare at its centre.
It also called for quality and accessible healthcare services for children in both urban centres and remote rural communities.
BIP said creating safe environments for children requires coordinated efforts involving local government institutions, health and family welfare authorities, urban and regional planners, engineers, environmentalists and other stakeholders.
Describing the recent measles outbreak as a wake-up call, the organisation urged authorities to focus jointly on three priorities-quality treatment, preventive healthcare and safe, planned residential environments-to protect children’s right to grow up healthy.
It added that ensuring children’s wellbeing is not solely the responsibility of the health sector but requires integrated urban, regional and public health planning to build a healthier, more humane and sustainable Bangladesh.
