Evercare Hospital Dhaka & Chattogram jointly arranged an online panel discussion on World Hepatitis Day 2021. In line with this year’s theme of “Hepatitis can’t wait”, Evercare organized the virtual event to spread awareness among people about Hepatitis.
Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), was present at the event as the chief guest as well as Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chattogram City Corporation, as the honorable guest of honor.
Brig Gen Md. Zobaidur Rahman, Chief Health Officer, DNCC ; Dr. Muhammad Lutful Latif Chowdhury, Sr. Consultant & Coordinator Gastroenterology-Evercare Hospital Dhaka; Dr. S M Ali Haider, Consultant Gastroenterology, Evercare Hospital Chattogram on behalf of Evercare. Also present at the ceremony were Prof. Dr. Faruque Ahmed, Director, Sheikh Russel Gastroliver Institute & Hospital, Dhaka; Professor Dr. Ershad Uddin Ahmed, HOD Gastroenterology, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram participated in the panel discussion as well.
Talat Mamun, Executive Director – Channel 24; Pranab Saha, Editor – DBC News; and Shakil Ahmed, Head of News – Ekattor TV, also contributed to the discussion as representatives of mainstream media. The virtual event was moderated by Dr. Arif Mahmud, Deputy Director-Medical Services, Evercare Hospital, Dhaka.
Chief Guest Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, DNCC, said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the health sector of our country is gradually improving. Nonetheless, if awareness among the people is not increased, it will be difficult to eradicate diseases like Hepatitis. In Bangladesh, around 1 crore people are suffering from Hepatitis. About 20,000 people are dying due to this disease and 9 out of 10 Hepatitis patients do not even know that they are infected. In this case, as the custodian of the city, I want to say Hepatitis cannot wait so now is the time raise awareness on the causes, precautions and remedies regarding the disease.”
Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chattogram City Corporation, said, “It is clear that there is a lack of awareness among the people about Hepatitis. There are still many people in our country now who are deprived of the light of education. Therefore, more importance should be given to increase awareness among the people. Those of us who have important responsibilities, our job will be to take effective steps to eradicate Hepatitis by creating public awareness with the help of our positions. Otherwise, this discussion will remain just a discussion. I hope everyone in the country will work together to control this virus.”
“We are always trying to maintain the health of the city. We are committed to serving people from all walks of life and shall continue to raise awareness in battling such diseases. ”, said Brig Gen Md. Zobaidur Rahman, Chief Health Officer, DNCC.
Dr. Muhammad Lutful Latif Chowdhury, Sr. Consultant & Coordinator Gastroenterology-Evercare Hospital Dhaka, said, “Hepatitis is a disease that is like an invisible enemy. Since most of the infected people do not even know that they are infected with this disease, its severity is even greater. Therefore, all organizations have to take action from their respective position to create awareness among the masses and encourage them to get vaccinated. ”
Dr. S M Ali Haider, Consultant Gastroenterology, Evercare Hospital Chattogram said, “4% of people in Bangladesh are infected with Hepatitis. The ongoing Corona pandemic has not stopped the spread of Hepatitis. Therefore, it is important to emphasize the need to eradicate hepatitis during this pandemic. In addition to raising public awareness, proper testing should also be emphasized upon.”
Prof. Dr. Faruque Ahmed, Director, Sheikh Russel Gastroliver Institute & Hospital, Dhaka, said, “Hepatitis is present in all countries of the world. This virus is capable of taking horrible forms, but it is not difficult to cure. I think encouraging everyone in the country to get vaccinated, especially newborns, will help reduce the number of hepatitis infections in the future.”
Professor Dr. Ershad Uddin Ahmed, HOD Gastroenterology, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram said, “About 250 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis. Proper testing and immunization should be emphasized. Hepatitis vaccines are affordable so now is the time to make people aware of it and guide them on what to do. ”