The Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS) organised a landmark event, 'Walk the Talk', on Thursday to commemorate World Population Day.
With the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Bangladesh, this initiative saw the participation of 5,000 medical students from 40 medical colleges across all eight divisions of the country, making it the largest event ever organised by medical students in Bangladesh.
The theme of this year’s event was 'Healthy Life, Healthy Family', emphasising the importance of health and well-being in family life. In Dhaka, the event kicked off at 3 PM at the historic Central Shaheed Minar. Over 700 medical students and guests walked from Central Shaheed Minar to TSC in Dhaka.
Prof. Dr. Nawzia Yasmin, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the State University of Bangladesh (SUB); Dr. Aftab Uddin, Chairperson of the Public Health Foundation, Bangladesh; and Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel, Public Health Expert Advisor, DGHS, were present at the event, among others.
The programme began with speeches from the distinguished guests, each highlighting different aspects of public health, family planning, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Following the speeches, participants commenced the walk from Central Shaheed Minar to TSC, symbolising unity and collective action towards a healthier future. The walk aimed to raise awareness about health and family planning issues among the general public, with participants carrying banners and placards conveying messages about healthy living.
Simultaneously, similar events took place in all eight divisions of Bangladesh, engaging local stakeholders. These events aimed to create widespread community awareness about the importance of health and family planning.
Medical students from local colleges collaborated with regional health officials, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders to organise awareness programmes, competitions, cricket matches, health camps, and educational workshops. This grassroots effort ensured that the message of 'Healthy Life, Healthy Family' reached a broad audience, fostering a nationwide commitment to health and well-being.
'Walk the Talk' showcased the crucial role that future healthcare professionals play in advocating for and implementing health initiatives. This is the second 'Walk the Talk' event in the country, with BMSS organising the first historic 'Walk the Talk' in Southeast Asia in 2023. The BMSS’s successful organisation of such a large-scale event with the support of WHO is a testament to the collective dedication to improving health standards in Bangladesh. As the walk concluded, the whole nation was left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to fostering healthier lives and families in Bangladesh.