World Health Organization Bangladesh

04/11/2025

30/10/2025

An addressing the emerging triple burden of malnutrition, which arises from the coexistence of diets, people of almost all age groups, specially children and adolescents are now at an increased risk of overnutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Dietary diversity is critical to addressing the emerging triple burden of malnutrition, which arises from the coexistence of undernutrition and overweight or diet related NCDs, driven by poor dietary intake and unhealthy environments. To address this situation, a unified effort from all sectors is urgently needed.

These observations were made yesterday, Tuesday, at a roundtable discussion titled “Nutritional and Health Risks of Unhealthy Foods: What Should We Do”, held at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. The event was organized by Prothom Alo, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The main presentation of the roundtable discussion was delivered by Faria Shabnam, National Professional Officer (Maternal and Child Nutrition) of the World Health Organization (WHO). Pertinent discussants were from Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, Institute of Public Health Nutrition, Bangladesh National Nutrition Council, Food Policy Monitoring Unit, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science- Dhaka University, Bangladesh Medical University, UNICEF, Nutrition International, and GAIN. During the discussion, participants reviewed the country’s overnutrition, non-communicable situation, dietary habits, and existing regulations, and also made a series of recommendations for future action.

The discussion was moderated by Firoz Chowdhury, Assistant Editor of Prothom Alo.

30/10/2025

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

WHO Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), organized a 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 (𝗛𝗥𝗛) Evidence for Decision-Making on 28 October 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This year’s theme was “𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.”

The seminar brought together policymakers, researchers, and development partners to discuss and advance strategic actions for building a stronger health workforce and a more resilient Primary Health Care (PHC) system.

A total of five studies were presented during the seminar:

🔹 Competency Mapping of the PHC Workforce in Bangladesh
🔹 Role of Nurses in Promoting PHC in Rural Bangladesh
🔹 Effectiveness of the Residential Field Site Training (RFST) Program for MBBS Students: Situation and Implementation Guidelines
🔹 HRH Projections up to 2040
🔹 Recruitment and Career Progression: Issues and Challenges in the PHC Workforce

The event was graced by 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗱. 𝗦𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻, Honorable Special Assistant to the Health Adviser, MoHFW, as Chief Guest. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱, WHO Representative to Bangladesh; 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗱. 𝗔𝗯𝘂 𝗝𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗿, Director General, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS); and 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗶 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱, Director General, Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), attended as Special Guests.

The session was chaired by 𝗠𝗿. 𝗠𝗱. 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗠𝗼𝗛𝗙𝗪. All distinguished guests emphasized the importance of collective efforts to strengthen Health for All through evidence-based workforce planning.

Discussions emphasized on having continuous cooperation to strengthen PHC workforce. This can include adopting appropriate training interventions to boost up competencies, formulating health workforce projections up to 2040 covering medical specialists and other professionals.

29/10/2025

From Evidence to Action: Bangladesh Advances Toward Health-Related SDGs

Bangladesh remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring quality health services for all by 2030!

At a national workshop organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), policymakers and experts reflected on the mid-term progress toward health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In her remarks, Hon’ble Adviser Ms. Nurjahan Begum highlighted key achievements, including the deployment of 3,500 new nurses, while calling for collective action to strengthen health systems and address remaining challenges.

Together, we move from evidence to action for a healthier, more equitable Bangladesh.

22/10/2025

Health workers are the first line of defense — and often the first at risk.
Stay protected and keep your patients safe by following these simple steps:
💉 Get vaccinated
🧼 Wash your hands regularly
🤧 Practice respiratory etiquette
😷 Wear a mask in crowded or enclosed spaces
Together, we can stop the spread of influenza and COVID-19.

21/10/2025

A healthy life begins with healthy choices!
Eating at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables each day helps strengthen immunity, prevent diseases, and support overall well-being. 🌱💪
Let’s make every meal a step toward a healthier life.

20/10/2025

A united effort for a healthier Bangladesh!

Today, on 20 October 2025, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with support from WHO Bangladesh, led a high-level inter-ministerial meeting to advance the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health issues.

Top officials from various ministries including, Ministry of Secondary and Higher Education Division, Technical and Madrasah Education Division, Ministry of Housing & Public Works, Local Government Division, Rural Development and Co-operatives Division, Medical Education and Family Welfare Division, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports came together to finalize action plans that will help reduce the burden of NCDs and move us closer to achieving SDG 3.4, reducing premature deaths by 2030.

Together, we can make a lasting impact on public health

15/10/2025

𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟱 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗕𝗶𝗱𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 & 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲, 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗮, 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗗𝗣𝗛𝗘), 𝗪𝗛𝗢, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙.

This year’s theme, “𝐁𝐞 𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨!”, highlights the power of individuals to protect health and inspire change. Whether at home, in schools, workplaces, or healthcare settings, proper hand hygiene remains a simple yet heroic act that saves lives.

The event was graced by esteemed representatives from the Government of Bangladesh and United Nations agencies, including Eng. Mir Abdus Shahid, Chief Engineer, DPHE; Dr. Jamsheed Ahmed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh; Ms. Deepika Sharma, Deputy Representative of UNICEF; and Mr. Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, Secretary, Local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, who chaired the event.

In his remarks, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 emphasized WHO’s strong collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and development partners in advancing WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) initiatives. He expressed sincere appreciation to DPHE, the Ministry of Local Government, partner organizations, school authorities, teachers, and especially the students for their leadership and unwavering commitment to promoting hand hygiene.

15/10/2025

WHO’s Urban Governance for Health and Well-being Initiative is transforming community health in Khulna City, Bangladesh! 🇧🇩

Through strong community engagement, residents are coming together to fight dengue, improve sanitation, and build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient city.

Visit the link below to know more about how collective action is driving sustainable urban health improvements. 🔗

When the monsoon rains returned to Khulna City last year, so did dengue. Fueled by rapid urbanization, inadequate waste management, and climate change, mosquito-borne diseases have long challenged the city. But in 2025, a new force emerged to tackle this threat — the community itself. “Keeping o...

14/10/2025

A training workshop on Food Safety and IHR-INFOSAN communication began yesterday at Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka. The event aims to strengthen coordination, communication, and collaboration among national stakeholders in Food Safety, IHR-NFP, and INFOSAN ECP.
A three-level WHO team, in collaboration with FAO, is facilitating the workshop, bringing together national stakeholders, sector partners, and IHR-NFP representatives to enhance food safety and health security.

13/10/2025

Congratulations 🇲🇻 for achieving ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B — becoming the first country in the world 🌏 to reach this remarkable milestone!

This historic success was possible because of

✔️ an integrated and comprehensive approach to maternal and child health
✔️ universal health coverage, supported by strong policies and investment of over 10% of GDP in health
✔️ strong partnerships between government, private health providers, civil society, and international partners

For more: https://www.who.int/news/item/13-10-2025-maldives-becomes-the-first-country-to-achieve-triple-elimination-of-mother-to-child-transmission-of-hiv-syphilis-and-hepatitis-b