Some 2,600 people die of non-communicable diseases every day in Bangladesh, experts have said.

These diseases need to be controlled efficiently and effectively through public awareness, research, skilled and trained health workers, and doctors using modern information technology, they told reporters at a press conference on "Environmental Disaster and Non-Communicable Diseases" at Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday.

Abu Mohammad Zakir Hossain, convenor of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) environmental health program committee, presided over the event as the chief guest.

While, Khandaker Bazlul Haque, president of Doctors for Health and Environment (DHEn), Prof M Abu Sayed were also present as the special guests.

Abu Mohammad Zakir Hossain said that 30% of people in Bangladesh do not know that they have polyuria or high blood pressure.

“Every day about 2,600 people die of non-communicable diseases in the country. The government should pay more attention to all these diseases,” he added.

Prof Khandaker Bazlul Haque said: “Bapa was established in 2020. At that time the environment in Bangladesh was not in that much of a crisis.”

He added that in 2022, the environmental crisis has increased 100-200 folds. “If we had not acted earlier, it would have multiplied even more. Our task is not enough, the government should also step up.”

He also said that the reason behind the higher percentage of death in the west from the Covid-19 pandemic was due to their poor immune system.

“And people like us, who are from underdeveloped countries, have poor health but good immune systems. And we should be proud of that,” he mentioned.

Prof M Abu Sayed said it is time for the countrymen to find out the problems that lie in Bangladesh. “Other diseases are being researched, so we need to do more studies on non-communicable diseases,” he added.

The chairperson of the Public Health Foundation, Md Aftab Uddin, has also emphasized the importance of research.

“We need to be aware to control non-communicable diseases because prevention is better than cure. More publicity and awareness activities should be carried out among the public on communicable diseases as non-communicable diseases are already rampant throughout the country,” he added.

Bapa's environmental health program committee member and Director of DSK Hospital Dr Mahmudur Rahman said Bangladesh has prepared a multisectoral action plan involving 30 ministries with the help of the World Health Organization to control and mitigate non-communicable diseases.