Policymakers need to prioritise chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD as the disease has emerged as a serious public health crisis in Bangladesh, healthcare experts said at roundtable discussion on Tuesday.
To mark the World COPD Day 2025, Department of Respiratory Medicine of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) arranged the discussion after a rally titled "COPD: The Hidden Public Health Crisis" at Shaheed Dr. Milton Hall of the university on Wednesday, said a press release.
Speaking as the chief guest, the BMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Shahinul Alam stressed that COPD has become a serious public health crisis here, driven by smoking, air pollution, and indoor smoke.
He urged for early detection, community-level screening, and improved access to modern treatment.
Dr. Alam also emphasised the urgent need for public awareness, strong guidelines, and research-based interventions to tackle the growing threat that COPD has been triggering.
He also highlighted the need for research that directly benefits patients and the general population, noting that impactful studies do not always require large budgets.
President of the Chest and Heart Association of Bangladesh (CHAB) Associate Professor Dr. Md. Zahirul Islam Shakil underscored that many opportunities for collaborative action plans to prevent COPD-induced health risks.
Pro-VC (Administration) Prof. Dr. Abul Kalam Azad emphasised nationwide programs to help reduce smoking, control air pollution, and educate rural families on safe cooking practices.
Presiding over the discussion, Chairman of the Respiratory Medicine Department of the University Prof. Dr. Shamim Ahmed said COPD is preventable and its burden can be significantly reduced through coordinated efforts.
Speakers also highlighted the need for district-level data collection, a national COPD database, multi-center research, and increased focus on indoor air pollution affecting women.
Later, BMU and CHAB jointly announced plans to initiate stronger national-level programs in the fight against COPD, aiming to enhance research, awareness, and coordinated healthcare strategies across the country.
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