The 2nd International Symposium on ‘Community Health Workers 2019’ concluded yesterday at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka here.
The symposium was organised by icddr,b in collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of Bangladesh; BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH) and Save the Children, Bangladesh.
This year’s theme was ‘Potentials of Community Health Workers in Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Context of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)’, said a press release.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque was present as chief guest at the programme. Speaking on the occasion, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the foreign participants for their time and effort in coming to Bangladesh to make the event a success.
He said, “I hope you all made the most of this opportunity and enjoyed the panels, presentations, posters and took the time to talk to each other and build your networks.”
In the closing session, “Bangladesh National Strategy for Community Health Workers (2019-2030)” was unveiled, which was developed under the leadership of health ministry, with support from Save the Children Bangladesh, USAID, UNICEF and WHO.
Secretary of the ministry M Ashadul Islam presided over the programme while Director General (DG) of health services Professor Dr Abul Kalam Azad, DG of family planning Kazi A K M Mohiul Islam was present as special guest.
The Dhaka symposium represented a renewed, re-energised vision and engagement of the community health workers to act and deliver interventions that would address emerging challenges of non-communicable diseases.
Over the last 100 years, CHWs have been successfully working on key areas such as birth and death registration, vaccination, providing basic healthcare, education, and counseling services.
Country Director of Save the Children, Bangladesh Mark Pierce, Office Director of USAID Bangladesh, Country Representative of UNICEF Bangladesh Tomoo Hozumi, country representative of UNFPA Bangladesh Dr Asa Torkelsson, country representative of World Health Organisation (WHO) also spoke.
