Foreign-Affairs
Realising the right to health for all means creating conditions where everyone, everywhere can access high quality health facilities: Saima Wazed
Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region, Saima Wazed, has said to fulfill the right to health, both health services and the underlying determinants should be available, accessible, acceptable and of adequate quality.
“Realising the right to health for all means creating conditions where everyone, everywhere can access high quality health facilities, services and goods that prioritize people’s needs, understanding and dignity,” she said in a statement ahead of the World Health Day.
It also means a full set of rights that enable people to live healthily, such as education, safe water and food, nutritious food, adequate housing, good working and environmental conditions and information—or the underlying determinants of health, Saima said.
The right to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health—or, the right to health has been core to WHO’s mission, globally and in the region. It is enshrined in WHO’s constitution, according to a message received from New Delhi on Wednesday.
On World Health Day, celebrated on April 7 to mark the foundation of the World Health Organization, the spotlight this year is on ‘My Health, My Right’, as in a world witnessing multiple crises, from diseases to disasters to conflicts and climate change, realising people’s right to health is now more important than ever.
As WHO marks its seventy-sixth year on April 7, the South-East Asia Region has seen many gains and has much to celebrate with regard to the right to health.
The Universal Health Coverage service coverage index has improved from 47 in 2010 to 62 in 2021.
The average density of medical doctors, nurses and midwives in the region stands at 28.05 per 10,000 population, up by 30.5% since 2015.
The region achieved a 68.5% reduction in the maternal mortality ratio between 2000 and 2020. Under-five mortality rate declined significantly from 84 per 1000 live births in 2000 to 29 per 1000 live births in 2021 and the neonatal mortality rate from 41 per 1000 live births in 2000 to 17 per 1000 live births in 2021. Between 2015 and 2021 new HIV infections declined by 25% and malaria incidence by 62%.
“However, despite progress, we still have a considerable way to go to make the right to health a reality for all in the WHO South-East Asia Region,” the Regional Director said.
Despite global commitments to the right to health, nearly 40% of the region’s people lack coverage by essential health services. Investment in health by national governments, which is the foundation of advancing the right to health, is unacceptably low, which has resulted in high out-of-pocket expenditure.
The proportion of households experiencing financial hardship in accessing basic health care has been rising.
TB mortality rate in the Region increased by 8.6% in 2021 compared to 2015.
The probability of death between the ages of 30 and 70 years from four major diseases - cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases - is still unacceptably high at 21.6%.
The poorest and groups with vulnerabilities face the greatest barriers in accessing needed healthcare, often with catastrophic consequences for their health and wellbeing.
Poor quality care accounts for more disease and deaths than lack of access to care.
The Regional Director said gender inequality affects equitable access to diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable health conditions.
For example, compared with men, a higher proportion of women with raised blood glucose go untreated. This diagnosis and treatment gap is also seen for hypertension.
Violence against women and girls—a violation of their human rights and a priority public health issue—remains pervasive.
More than one in every three women in the region have experienced intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime, with rural and uneducated women and those from the poorest households facing a significantly higher risk, she said.
Too many still face stigma related to certain health conditions, such as TB, HIV/AIDS, disability or mental ill-heath.
They also face discrimination in the health system based on their gender, class, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or other characteristics, the Regional Director said.
Equality and non-discrimination are core to a human rights-based approach to health.
A human rights-based approach also entails adherence to the principle of participation: for example, by ensuring that those most affected by certain health conditions or health policies and decisions have a say in how these decisions are made, Saima said.
Accountability is also integral to a human rights-based approach: for example, reporting back to affected groups and communities about the performance of the health system or health programmes to address their needs, she said.
All governments and other duty-bearers have the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health and other human rights and to ensure their progressive realization.
Governments need to increase investments in health—especially to advance universal health coverage grounded in the primary healthcare approach, she said.
Good laws can lay the foundation for more effective tobacco control, environmental protection, better nutrition, control of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, fair and equal working conditions, and much more. Health services need to be made more available, accessible acceptable and of better quality for all, Saima said.
WHO is committed to advancing the right to health and other human rights. “Let’s make the right to health a reality for all,” the Regional Director said.
Visiting British peer calls on foreign minister
Lord Purvis of Tweed, Liberal Democrat working peer and Foreign Affairs front bench spokesperson at the UK's House of Lords, on Tuesday underscored the opportunity of enhancing exports from Bangladesh to the UK, particularly certified safe and organic food from Bangladesh to the UK.
He met Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at the latter’s office. The Foreign Minister warmly welcomed the Lord of Tweed on his maiden visit to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh will send back 180 Myanmar nationals, including BGP and army personnel: Foreign Minister
Terming the Bangladesh-UK bilateral relations as profound, the Foreign Minister recalled the historic 8 January 1972 visit to London by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his way to independent Bangladesh from the captivity in Pakistan and expressed gratitude to the UK government and people for their unwavering support to Bangladesh’s independence.
Foreign Minister for concluding PTA with Indonesia
He referred to the tremendous socio-economic transformation of Bangladesh over the last fifteen years under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and in this connection, acknowledged UK’s development assistance and cooperation to Bangladesh’s graduation to a developing nation.
Lord Purvis of Tweed thanked the Foreign Minister for his warm welcome and informed him about his visit to Cox’s Bazar to see VSO operations in Ukhiya and Ramu.
The Minister was also apprised of VSO activities in Bangladesh over the last 50 years with a total of 100,000 volunteers covering areas inter-alia climate change adaptation, awareness against child marriage, girls’ education advancement, community health with the support from the UK FCDO.
The Foreign Minister and Lord Purvis shared the contribution of British-Bangladeshi Diaspora, currently the 3rd largest ethnic Diaspora in the UK, to the economies of both the countries.
Lord Purvis also added that he had been advocating a continued scaling up of support from the UK to resolve the protracted Rohingya crisis.
Foreign Minister advocates for continued focus on climate-induced displacement
Both sides shared views on the war in Gaza and indiscriminate killing of civilians there and underscored the importance of the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict for a just and lasting solution and enduring peace in the region.
Bangladesh will send back 180 Myanmar nationals, including BGP and army personnel: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said Bangladesh would send back 180 Myanmar nationals, including members of Border Guard Police and army personnel of Myanmar, who have taken refuge in Bangladesh.
Apart from that, he said, steps are being taken to bring home 170 Bangladeshis trapped in Myanmar.
Foreign Minister for concluding PTA with Indonesia
The Foreign Minister came up with the updates while talking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said 177 members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) and later three of their army personnel have taken shelter in Bangladesh.
"The Myanmar government has agreed to take them back following a discussion with us," Hasan said.
Foreign Minister advocates for continued focus on climate-induced displacement
They preferred the sea route while Bangladesh was hoping to send them back this week.
"As the sea is not favorable at this moment, they will be sent back next week or as soon as the sea is calmer," Hasan said.
Besides, Bangladesh proposed Myanmar to return 170 Bangladeshis trapped in Myanmar.
The Myanmar side also responded positively to that proposal, Hasan said.
Asked about the international response to the Joint Response Plan (JRP) meeting held in Geneva on March 13 to deal with the Rohingya crisis, the Foreign Minister said the foreign secretary and the prime minister's principal secretary attended the JRP meeting in Switzerland
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"Response to our proposed funding and cooperation is better than last year," Hasan said.
'BNP talks so much to cover up corruption in their era'
When a journalist referred to BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi who is accusing Awami League of corruption, the Awami League Joint General Secretary said the FBI has testified against the corruption and money-laundering of the acting chairman of BNP and the smuggled money of his younger brother, Koko, has been recovered from Singapore.
"Not only that, the country was champion in corruption in the world five times in a row while they were in power. They talk so much to cover this up," Hasan said.
The minister said the “competition” between leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Rizvi and Moyeen Khan is another reason for these unrealistic remarks from BNP.
"Rizvi's speech is so vulgar and unrealistic that it seems he needs treatment for mental imbalance," Hasan said.
Bangladesh has pioneered autism awareness in South Asia: Ambassador says at Autism Day event in Yangon
Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Dr. Md. Monwar Hossain on Tuesday said Bangladesh played a pioneering role, led by Saima Wazed, the current Regional Director of WHO-South East Asia region and Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Neuro Development Disorder & Autism in Bangladesh, in raising awareness in South Asia.
He was speaking at a seminar organized by the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) 2024.
With the relentless efforts of Wazed, Bangladesh hosted the first international conference on Autism in Dhaka in 2011 and supported the 2nd one held in Thimphu in 2017.
The Ambassador mentioned that the government of Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been implementing various measures for the welfare of people with autism and disabilities in the country, including enacting necessary acts and rules.
He also profoundly applauded the active role of Wazed in raising awareness about autism across the world, including at the UN in the past decade.
While mentioning this year’s theme which is ‘Moving from surviving to thriving’, the ambassador highlighted the importance of relevant SDG goals, namely, health and wellbeing (goal 3), quality education (goal 4), inclusive opportunities in the job market (goal 8) and reducing inequalities (goal 10) for the growth of the people with disabilities, including autism.
Representatives of Swedish mission, WHO, Myanmar Special Education Association and a parent also spoke on the occasion.
The speakers discussed the necessity of early detection and intervention, countering stigmatization and discrimination and the need for supporting the caregivers and parents while addressing the challenges of autism, according to a message received from Yangon.
Diplomats, representatives of UN organizations, including WHO and UNICEF, academics, civil society representatives, NGOs working with special child research institutions, officials of the embassy, representatives of Bangladesh community in Myanmar, representatives of autism association, teachers of special schools, special children and their parents were present.
Program of the day included key note presentation by the Bangladesh Ambassador on “World Autism Awareness Day 2024: From Surviving to Thriving”, screening of video documentary remarks by the attendees and question/answer session.
Foreign Secretary requests Estonia to consider expanding scholarship for Bangladeshi students
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen has requested Estonia to consider expanding scholarship for Bangladeshi students.
He reiterated the importance of exchange/linkage programme between universities of Bangladesh and Estonia for cooperation in research on information technology and business.
Director General of the Asia Pacific region, Africa and Middle East and of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Ambassador Kristi Karelsohn made a courtesy call on the Foreign Secretary at State Guest House Padma on April 1 and discussed the issues.
The Foreign Secretary thanked Ambassador Kristi Karelsohn for coming to Dhaka for the 1st Bilateral Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Estonia.
He praised Estonia's advancement in the ICT sector and sought the country’s assistance particularly in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.
Both Foreign Secretary and Ambassador Karelsohn agreed that bilateral trade and investment levels between the two countries are still very low and there are plenty of scopes to increase it.
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The Foreign Secretary suggested facilitating exchange of trade delegations or missions between the chambers of commerce or trade associations of both countries will help to unlock the potential in bilateral trade.
He sought Estonia’s support and vote for Bangladesh’s candidatures in different international fora.
The Foreign Secretary expressed hope that Estonia as an individual state and with the EU will remain active in mounting pressure on Myanmar to stop violence against Rohingya people, including sustainable return in safety and dignity to their ancestral land.
The meeting was followed by the 1st Bilateral Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Estonia.
Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral- East & West) Ambassador Dr. Muhammad Nazrul Islam and Ambassador Kristi Karelsohn led their respective sides to the Foreign Office Consultations.
All possible areas of bilateral engagements were discussed in the Foreign Office Consultations including political cooperation, candidatures in different multilateral fora, economic and digital cooperation including cooperation in blue economy and e-governance, ways of trade promotion, cooperation in sustainable development and climate change and educational cooperation.
Saima Wazed, Princess Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck launch Bhutanese version of Bangabandhu’s ‘Unfinished Memoirs’
Both sides also exchanged their views on issues of regional and global security including the situation in Myanmar, Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
The Foreign Office Consultations were followed by an iftar and dinner program hosted by Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral- East & West) in honour of Ambassador Kristi Karelsohn and her delegation.
BRAC empowers 1,200 disadvantaged young women in coastal areas with support from US Embassy
BRAC's Skill Development Programme (SDP) has created employment opportunities for 1,200 young women who were previously disadvantaged and lagging behind in coastal areas vulnerable to climate change.
School dropouts are provided with hands-on training under BRAC's Skills Training for Advancing Resources (STAR) model as apprentices under local businessmen in the 'Ustad-Saagred' system, which is believed to be more effective than traditional on-the-job training.
This training has been provided to young women in coastal areas from January 2023 to March of this year under the 'Alternative Learning Pathway for School Dropout Girls in Climate Vulnerable Regions of Bangladesh' project, implemented by SDP in collaboration with the US Embassy.
On this occasion, a programme titled 'Bridge to Success: Alternative Learning Pathways Project Learning and Knowledge Dissemination' was organised on Monday at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Dhaka.
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In her address, Sharlina Hussain-Morgan, the Director of Public Engagement at the US Embassy, emphasised, "While this training programme may have concluded for now, it is not the end, it is the beginning. Our aim is to witness a substantial influx of female entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, who will make significant contribution to the nation's economy.”
Tasmiah Tabassum Rahman, Associate Director of BRAC SDP, underscored the accomplishments of the SDP and Star Model initiatives during the programme, noting that over 71% of the young women who underwent training have secured employment. Of this percentage, 11% participants were persons with disabilities.
Safi Rahman Khan, Director of Education, SDP, and Migration expressed gratitude during the event.
He emphasised the significant endeavours underway within the programme, particularly regarding the marketplace. Enhancing inclusivity within this market, especially to bolster the participation of women and individuals with disabilities, remains a vital focus.
Some of the young women who received training through this project shared their experiences and achievements.
The guests inaugurated the day-long 'Eid Fair', held at the BRAC Central Plaza, where various products made by the trained youth from BRAC were displayed.
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The fair included clothes, jute products, bamboo and rattan products, furniture, pottery, beauty salon services, mobile phone servicing, etc.
Additionally, there were bioscopes and fascinating magic shows.
Since its inception in 2012, the STAR programme has provided training to over 120,000 youths.
Among them, approximately 64% are female, and 10% are persons with disabilities. Alongside BRAC, partners in this initiative include the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE), UNICEF, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Foreign Minister for concluding PTA with Indonesia
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Monday highlighted the importance of concluding the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with a view to increasing the trade volume between Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Heru Hartanto Subolo met the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed bilateral issues.
Foreign Minister advocates for continued focus on climate-induced displacement
Discussions centered on mutual interests between the two countries, with a pledge to further deepen bilateral relations in the areas of trade and investment, energy, agriculture and connectivity among others.
Ambassador Subolo affirmed Indonesia's keen interest in bolstering economic partnerships and expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh's energy sector.
There’s fear that Buet might become a ‘hub of militancy’: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Hasan also sought Indonesia's support in key issues such as Rohingya repatriation and ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership status for Bangladesh.
This courtesy call signifies a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of the peoples of two nations, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
No credit in projecting the country negatively: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister advocates for continued focus on climate-induced displacement
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has suggested the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to continue to highlight climate-induced displacement and migration in all relevant forums, including as part of the UNFCCC COP processes.
Chief of Mission, IOM Bangladesh, Abdusattor Esoev met the Foreign Minister at the latter’s office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday and discussed issues of mutual interest.
There’s fear that Buet might become a ‘hub of militancy’: Foreign Minister
During the meeting, the IOM representative acknowledged Bangladesh as the birthplace of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), and the work being undertaken with the inter-agency Migration Compact Taskforce for its follow-up.
No credit in projecting the country negatively: Foreign Minister
The Foreign Minister assured of Bangladesh’s continued support and advocacy as one of the GCM Champion Countries.
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Saudi Embassy hosts iftar
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia has hosted an iftar in honor of political leaders, diplomats stationed in Dhaka and journalists.
Deputy Head of Mission Abdulaziz Fahad M Alibrahim hosted the iftar on behalf of the Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa bin Yousef Al Duhailan at the Embassy.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, senior government officials and civil society members were also present.
Saima Wazed, Princess Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck launch Bhutanese version of Bangabandhu’s ‘Unfinished Memoirs’
The autobiography of the Father of the Nation, “Unfinished Memoirs”, has been translated into Bhutanese (Dzongkha) language.
WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia and granddaughter of the Father of the Nation, Saima Wazed, and Princess of Bhutan Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck launched the Dzongkha version of the book on March 31 in Thimphu.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat was present at the launching ceremony.
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The “Unfinished Memoirs” of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been translated into Dzongkha language by the most prominent writer and Commissioner of Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies (CBS) Dasho Karma Ura, with an initiative of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Bhutan.
At the launching ceremony, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk, Agricultural Minister Yonten Phuntsho, Home Minister Lyonpo Tshering, Industry, Commerce & Employment Minister Namgyal Dorji represented the Royal Government of Bhutan.
A large number of dignitaries including Ambassador of Kuwait in Bhutan, Ambassador of Bhutan in Bangladesh, Head of Diplomatic Missions and UN offices in Thimphu, secretaries, academicians, intellectuals, researchers, expatriates Bangladeshi nationals were also present at the program held at Zhichenkhar in Thimphu.
At the launching program, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Saima Wazed said the Dzongkha translation of the autobiography will create new opportunities for cultural connection and the book will serve as a milestone for the researchers of Bhutan and Bangladesh to unearth new information.
She thanked the Royal Government of Bhutan and Centre for Bhutan Studies for publishing the Dzongkha version of the significant book.
In the welcome speech, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan Shib Nath Roy paid respect to the Father of the Nation and elaborated the connection of Wangchuck Dynasty and family of the Father of the Nation.
At the launching ceremony, the essence of the book was presented by Counsellor Sujan Debnath with Bangladeshi and Bhutanese students.
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The students read out some portion of the Dzongkha, English and Bangla versions of the book.
The book was published from PT printing in Thimphu. After the launching, copies of the book were given to all the attending guests.
Bangladesh Embassy informed that the book will be distributed to the libraries, universities, colleges, research centers and monk bodies of Bhutan.