Health experts said Diabetes prevention could save vision, and huge money and suggested giving greater attention to the prevention of diabetes to avoid blindness and save money every year. They also emphasized raising awareness of diabetes and its impact on individuals, families, and the national economy. Speakers made the suggestions at a policy dialogue titled, ‘Integrated Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Retinopathy Services – Reaching the Unreached’ at a city hotel on Sunday. Orbis International, Bangladesh organised the dialogue in collaboration with partner organisations, said a media release. Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Director General of Directorate General of Medical Education Prof AHM Enayet Hussain said there are some challenges, including cultural and educational barriers, in reaching services to the people who are still unreached. Citing several research publications at BMC Health Services, Dr Bishwajit Bhowmik, project director of the Centre for Global Health Research under Bangladesh Diabetic Samity (BADAS) said, “Overall, $297 could be saved annually by preventing a single case of diabetes.”    Also Read: Diabetes patients to get free insulin in future health minister     Presiding over the event, National Professor AK Azad Khan said Bangladesh can set up an example in healthcare service worldwide.   Country Director of Orbis International, Bangladesh Dr Munir Ahmed moderated the dialogue while Line Director for Non-communicable Disease Control at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Robed Amin, and Line Director for Community Based Health Care Dr Masud Reja Kabir, World Health Organisation Medical Officer (NCD) Sadhana Bhagwat, Orbis International Project Manager Shafiqul Islam, Coordinator of Dr K Zaman BNSB Eye Hospital Mymensingh Saifuzzaman Parag and Bangladesh Post Executive Editor Shiabur Rahman Shihab, among others, spoke at the event.

Health experts at a virtual dialogue on Sunday suggested allowing the private sector to import coronavirus vaccine alongside the government under a strong regulatory mechanism for immunising a larger number of people within a short time.

Health experts have expressed apprehension that Covid-19 infection rate may take an upward trend sharply after the upcoming Eid-ul Azha as several crore people get directly engaged in the sacrificing over one crore animals in the country.

As the government is now focusing on detecting those showing symptoms of Covid-19 to isolate them from others amid limited testing capacity in the country, health experts think silent spreaders have become a bigger threat to the efforts to stop the virus.

As people are increasingly using protective gears, including gloves, masks and gowns, to protect themselves from the coronavirus, health experts have cautioned that these safety equipment can become the means of transmission of the deadly virus for lack of their proper management, use and disposal.