Zubaida calls for greater focus on preventive healthcare, research
Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Dr Zubaida Rahman on Saturday called for greater emphasis on preventive healthcare, scientific research and stronger partnerships among the government, research institutions, universities and pharmaceutical industries to build a healthier Bangladesh.
“Preventive measures for certain illnesses have not been encouraged due to years of neglect in the health sector,” she said.
Dr Zubaida, also the wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, made the remarks at a programme marking the 12th anniversary of the Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi), a Dhaka-based non-profit biomedical research and diagnostic organisation, at a hotel in Gulshan.
She said millions of women in more than 90,000 villages across Bangladesh were suffering from illnesses that could be prevented through appropriate healthcare measures.
Referring to the government’s initiative to recruit 100,000 healthcare workers, 80 per cent of whom would be women, she said they could play an important role in taking preventive healthcare messages to communities across the country.
She said the government’s vision of building a healthier Bangladesh included disease prevention, adding that research, testing and public trust were essential to spreading knowledge about prevention from door to door.
Dr Zubaida appreciated ideSHi’s efforts over the past 12 years to bring scientific knowledge and healthcare initiatives closer to people. “Hard work is needed by all to build a healthier Bangladesh for our huge population,” she said, congratulating ideSHi founder and lead Dr Firdausi Qadri and the institute’s scientists and staff for their dedication and contributions.
The government was also trying to encourage young people across the country to pursue science, innovation and technology, she said.
“We need more scientists and hope that by studying, solving, and preventing our own problems, we can proudly shine in the world with significant development in our health sector,” she said.
She added that progress would require patient support, honest partnerships and meticulous work by the government, research universities and pharmaceutical industries.
Acknowledging that young scientists could become disheartened by the slow progress of their work, Dr Zubaida urged them to take pride in their contribution to improving people’s health.
She wished ideSHi success in advancing science and technology in Bangladesh and bringing healthcare benefits to people in remote villages.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Affairs Dr SM Ziauddin Hyder attended the programme as special guest, while Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Director General Professor Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas was the guest of honour.
Dr Ziauddin said the government, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, envisioned a healthcare system that would prevent diseases, detect illnesses before they became life-threatening and ensure quality treatment for every citizen.
He identified five priority areas: strengthening research for disease prevention and health security; making primary healthcare the foundation of the health system; promoting pharmaceutical innovation, biotechnology and locally developed diagnostics; advancing digital health and artificial intelligence; and developing a sustainable ecosystem for health research and development.
At the programme, Dr Firdausi Qadri presented a paper titled Challenges and Realities of Scientific Research Organization: Perspective ideSHi.
ideSHi Chairman Ashfaq Qadri delivered the welcome address, while its Chief Operating Officer Dr Md Rofiqur Rahman presented an audio-visual documentary on the institute’s journey.
The programme also featured five panel discussions on thalassaemia screening, women’s health, the future of biological products in Bangladesh, infectious diseases and the use of vaccines to benefit public health. Specialist physicians and public health experts took part in the discussions.