The rapid spread of non-communicable diseases is a significant challenge to sustainable development
General people’s understanding of Non-communicable diseases is limited. Non-communicable diseases can control through lifestyle and dietary changes and the prevention of environmental pollution.
Speakers said these things at a press conference on ‘Environmental Disasters and Non-Communicable Diseases’ at Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity organized by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA).
Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, Director of Dushtha Shasthya Kendra(DSK) hospital and a member of BAPA’s environment and health-related programs, said, “Non-communicable diseases have emerged as a rapidly growing health problem worldwide.
Its management and medical expenses are putting a huge strain on the public exchequer and private expenditures.
Environmental factors such as ambient and household air pollution (improper stove use), indirect smoking, chemical and radiation hazards, noise pollution, occupational hazards, land use patterns, working environment, climate change, etc., play a role in causing non-communicable diseases and deaths.”
“The rapid spread of non-communicable diseases is a major challenge to health, social systems, and development. Climate change is accelerating that process.
Climate change can directly or indirectly cause non-communicable diseases. Non-communicable diseases kill about 40 million people annually, accounting for 70 percent of all deaths worldwide, with 1.5 million deaths from non-communicable diseases between the ages of 30 and 69, and 77 percent of all deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries,” he added.
Professor Khandkar Bajlul Haque, Vice President of BAPA, said, “We started the Bangladesh environmental movement in 2000, and the environmental crisis of 2022 has increased 100 to 200 times since then.
When we started working, Bangladesh’s environment was not in much crisis. If we had not acted, it would have multiplied.”
Abu Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Convenor of the BAPA environment and health program committee and regional advisor for environment and climate change of the World Health Organization, said,” Sustainable environment, financial development, and social inclusion are the three main components of
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDG). So, we must take care of it to understand these three together because non-communicable diseases are also related to them. The government has the capacity, and using that capacity can make the people aware of the government.”
“Walking will not only prevent or control non-communicable diseases but also increase life expectancy. Walking 30-40 minutes daily, i.e., 150 minutes a week, should be a regular habit.
Around 30 percent of Bangladesh people do not know they have Diabetes or high blood pressure. About 2600 people die every day due to various diseases in this country,” he added.
