Dhaka, Aug 21 (V7N) – In a significant move to curb non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across Bangladesh, 35 ministries and departments have signed a joint declaration pledging enhanced inter-ministerial cooperation and coordinated efforts. The signing ceremony was held under the esteemed presence of the Chief Adviser, aiming to implement integrated initiatives for prevention and control of NCDs nationwide.

The declaration outlines five key commitments:

  1. Prioritizing Policy Development
    Each ministry and department commits to incorporating a “Health in All Policies” approach, ensuring that all strategies and policies prioritize NCD prevention and control. Existing policies will be revised as necessary to strengthen these efforts.

  2. Implementing Action Plans
    Ministries will guarantee adequate human and financial resources to execute the National Multisectoral Action Plan for NCD prevention and control, applying the World Health Organization’s cost-effective best buys. Supervision, monitoring, and evaluation will be conducted at all levels, including field operations.

  3. Raising Public Awareness and Ensuring Universal Participation
    A comprehensive government-wide and society-wide campaign will be undertaken to raise public awareness about NCD prevention, encouraging meaningful participation from all sectors of society.

  4. Coordination and Collaboration
    Each ministry/department will actively collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to implement the multisectoral NCD action plan effectively and in a coordinated manner.

  5. Reviewing Progress
    Regular reviews and monitoring of the joint declaration’s implementation will be carried out by all signatories. Reports documenting successes will be published, and necessary actions will be taken to address any challenges or shortcomings.

The ministries and departments that signed the joint declaration include: Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division, Senior Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Secretary of the Finance Division, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office, Secretary of the Ministry of Food, Secretary of the Local Government Division, Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Secretary of the Planning Division, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Secretary of the Directorate General of Health Services, Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Informatics, Secretary of the Coordination and Reform Ministry of Cabinet Division, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Secretary of the Ministry of Technical and Madrasa Education, and Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.

This unified commitment reflects Bangladesh’s determination to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases through multisectoral collaboration, ensuring healthier lives for its population.

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