Govt working to build a healthy nation for future generation: PM
Sunday, 8 January 2012
National Immunisation Day (NID) was observed across the country Saturday by administering polio vaccine to nearly 24 million children, reports BSS.
Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the vaccination programme marking the 20th NID at her official residence Ganobhaban in the morning.
She formally inaugurated the first round of the 20th NID by administering two drops of polio vaccine and a vitamin-A capsule to a number of under 5-year children.
Speaking on the occasion, the PM said her government has been working tirelessly to build a healthy nation for the future generation.
"We have been working relentlessly to deliver the healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people as the country's constitution guaranteed the healthcare facilities for all citizens," she said.
Listing various measures of the government for the development of health sector, Sheikh Hasina said the present government has resumed the operation of 11,000 community clinics, which were closed down by the previous BNP-Jama'at alliance government.
Besides, she said, healthcare services are also being provided through mobile phone and telemedicine system in line with the present government's vision to build a Digital Bangladesh.
Hasina said during 1996-2001 term, her government freed the country from polio through carrying out vaccination campaign successfully.
"But the previous BNP-Jama'at alliance government stopped the progarmme, and in absence of an appropriate campaign, some cases of polio infection were noticed," she said.
She stressed the need for giving proper attention to the healthcare of mothers side by side with their children.
"We will have to be careful that they (mothers) are not deprived of healthcare services as well as nutritious foods," she said.
Presided over by Health Secretary M Humayun Kabir, the function was also addressed, among others, by Health Minister Professor Dr A F M Ruhal Haq, Adviser to the Prime Minister Professor Dr Syed Modasser Ali and State Minister for Health Capt (retd) Dr Mazibar Rahman Fakir.
The Health Minister attended a 'Shishu Mela' at Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital (JBFH) where he fed some children polio vaccine and visited art competition participated by children.
"Bangladesh is a polio free country since last five years but World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared the country polio free because every country in Asia is not 100 per cent polio free as yet," he said attending the 'Shishu Mela.' Later, he visited the vaccination centres in Gazipur.
A total of 160,000 makeshift centres have been opened across the country to feed children of specific group polio vaccine as well as vitamin-A capsule to protect them from night blindness as well as worms.
Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the vaccination programme marking the 20th NID at her official residence Ganobhaban in the morning.
She formally inaugurated the first round of the 20th NID by administering two drops of polio vaccine and a vitamin-A capsule to a number of under 5-year children.
Speaking on the occasion, the PM said her government has been working tirelessly to build a healthy nation for the future generation.
"We have been working relentlessly to deliver the healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people as the country's constitution guaranteed the healthcare facilities for all citizens," she said.
Listing various measures of the government for the development of health sector, Sheikh Hasina said the present government has resumed the operation of 11,000 community clinics, which were closed down by the previous BNP-Jama'at alliance government.
Besides, she said, healthcare services are also being provided through mobile phone and telemedicine system in line with the present government's vision to build a Digital Bangladesh.
Hasina said during 1996-2001 term, her government freed the country from polio through carrying out vaccination campaign successfully.
"But the previous BNP-Jama'at alliance government stopped the progarmme, and in absence of an appropriate campaign, some cases of polio infection were noticed," she said.
She stressed the need for giving proper attention to the healthcare of mothers side by side with their children.
"We will have to be careful that they (mothers) are not deprived of healthcare services as well as nutritious foods," she said.
Presided over by Health Secretary M Humayun Kabir, the function was also addressed, among others, by Health Minister Professor Dr A F M Ruhal Haq, Adviser to the Prime Minister Professor Dr Syed Modasser Ali and State Minister for Health Capt (retd) Dr Mazibar Rahman Fakir.
The Health Minister attended a 'Shishu Mela' at Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital (JBFH) where he fed some children polio vaccine and visited art competition participated by children.
"Bangladesh is a polio free country since last five years but World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared the country polio free because every country in Asia is not 100 per cent polio free as yet," he said attending the 'Shishu Mela.' Later, he visited the vaccination centres in Gazipur.
A total of 160,000 makeshift centres have been opened across the country to feed children of specific group polio vaccine as well as vitamin-A capsule to protect them from night blindness as well as worms.