Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh will not badly be affected by its own pollution, rather it will be the victims of the excessive contamination of the developed and other developing countries like USA, China and India.
At least 20 percent of Bangladesh’s land will go under water caused by this excessive pollution.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said it while addressing at the inaugural programme on the observance of World Health Day in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Thursday.
Dhaka is badly affected by the pollution, he said, adding that “Bangladesh will be affected by the excessive pollution caused by USA, Brazil, China and India. Our pollution level is low. This excessive contamination will leave around 20 percent of our land submerged,” he added.
Emphasising on restoring the soil, water and air, the minister said, “Development is taking place everywhere in the world at the cost of destroying everything.”
Regarding the pollution in the capital, the Health Minister said, “The pollution level is very high in Dhaka compared with the other areas of the country. We are destroying the environment by felling trees.”
The contagious diseases are increasing continuously due to noise pollution, air pollution, dusts which are affecting the 1.5 crore people living in the capital, he said.
The minister also said the climate change is also responsible for increasing mental stress. Besides, drugs and smoking are responsible for health problems.
Regarding the use of pesticides, Zahid Malik said that the farmers have to pay attention to reduce the volume of pesticides using in the lands.
“The overused pesticides are causing health problems for consuming the food items,” he warned.
The minister said, no ministries can control the river pollution, air pollution and environment pollution. “We are trying to make people conscious about these issues,” he added.
About the corona vaccination, the minister said, “Bangladesh is in better position compared with other counties in corona vaccination programme. Bangladesh is holding the eighth position in corona vaccination application among 200 countries.”
Many African countries have not yet vaccinated 20 percent of the population, but Bangladesh, which is in the forefront of corona control, has been able to vaccinate 95 pc of the people, the health minister said.
It has been possible due to the service mentality of doctors, nurses and health workers, he added.
