Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been named as the "Global Ambassador for Diabetes" by the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) at the opening ceremony of the World Diabetes Congress 2022 held in Lisbon, Portugal.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Portugal Tarik Ahsan on behalf of the Prime Minster, received the certificate of the honorary title for ‘Global Ambassador for Diabetes’ from IDF president-elect Prof. Akhtar Hussain at the opening function on December 05, said a press release of PM’s press wing on Tuesday.
The ceremony was attended by IDF outgoing President Prof Andrew Boulton, other office bearers of IDF and participant doctors, health professionals and medical personnel.
The honorary title of Global Ambassador for Diabetes was conferred as recognition of her contribution to improving the lives of people living with diabetes.
The Prime Minister will act as the Global Ambassador for Diabetes to represent the voice of people living with diabetes worldwide for two years.
In his speech on the occasion, Ambassador Tarik said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a champion of people-centric development. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has become a role model for developing countries by achieving impressive socio-economic development through human development of the population, particularly in the areas of health, education and women empowerment, he said.
As an important element of human development, the health sector always received special attention from Hasina, he said.
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Hasina had earlier received various international awards and recognitions, including MDG Award, South-South Award, Vaccine Hero Award for her prudent leadership and glorious contribution to reach healthcare services to people's doorsteps.
In a video message played at the event, the PM thanked the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) for the honour and regretted not being able to be present at the event in person.
She said in Bangladesh, more than 8.5 million people, including children live with diabetes and related co-morbidities, while the number is around 422 million worldwide.
Emphasizing the importance of changing dietary habits and raising public awareness, she said Bangladesh is giving due importance to diabetes prevention and control through community awareness and implementation of the pro-people health policy. Bangladesh offers free treatment to diabetes patients in public sector hospitals and started offering insulin for free as well, she added.
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“On behalf of all diabetes patients and caregivers, I call upon the world leaders to bring an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. We must stop the international arms race and use the much-needed resources for our peoples’ health and education,” the PM said advocating for world peace in her video message.