Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the country’s health sector has witnessed significant progress despite various limitations over the last 14 years. “Bangladesh is now almost self-sufficient in cardiac care. Bangladesh has the capacity to treat 95 to 98 percent of cardiovascular diseases as skilled manpower, modern technology and equipment are available here in the country,” she said. The premier said this in a video message aired in the 3rd International Scientific Conference arranged by Bangladesh Cardiovascular Research Foundation (BCRF) in the city. She also opened the two-day conference being held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. Hasina said healthcare has now become much more accessible and reached the doorsteps of common people. Also Read: Boost research on agriculture to increase production: PM Hasina tells scientists “As the country's cardiologists and doctors provide better medical services to the patients in the country, the people of the country are benefiting and thus (the country’s) foreign currency is being saved,” she said. She said work is underway to set up a full-fledged pediatric cardiac unit in Dhaka for better treatment of pediatric cardiac patients in the country. “Plans have been taken to extend such facilities to other government hospitals as well,” she added. To increase the scope of pediatric cardiac treatment, the scope to produce pediatric cardiologists has been enhanced as a full-fledged pediatric cardiology and pediatric cardiac surgery unit was set up at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, said the PM. A 500-bed world-class 'Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research Institute' has been established in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, she said.  The premier stressed the need for focusing on preventive measures regarding cardiovascular diseases as the number of cardiac patients is on rise in the country. Also Read: PM Hasina: Bangladesh to become aviation gateway between the east and the west  “The number of cardiac patients is increasing day by day in the country due to various reasons including diet, lack of physical work, smoking and excessive diabetes. Along with the development of cardiovascular disease care, we also need to pay attention to preventive measures,” she said. PM Hasina said cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Bangladesh and all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, some 17.9 million people die every year in the world due to cardiovascular diseases. “About 27 percent of total deaths in Bangladesh are caused by cardiovascular diseases. At present, 10 children per thousand are suffering from cardiovascular diseases in the country. One in five young people in Bangladesh is at risk of heart disease,” she said. Focusing on her government’s steps for the development of the health sector, the PM said it has taken a plan to build a medical college in every district. The number of medical colleges rose to 115 now from 50 ones in 2009, while the number of MBBS course seats went up to 10,789 from only 2,050 in 2009, she said. She said her government will build a medical university in every division and four medical universities have already been set up. Pointing to the participants, their participation in the 3rd Scientific Conference has created a unique opportunity to share knowledge and experiences among cardiac specialists.  

Speakers at a webinar here on Tuesday urged the government to finalise the regulations to limit the intake of Trans Fatty Acid (TFA) or trans-fat-laden foods, which is a major cause of heart diseases. On the eve of World Heart Day 2021 (Sept 29), the webinar titled “Risks of Trans Fat-induced Heart Diseases in Bangladesh and Way Forward” was jointly organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh in association with Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). “Elimination of trans fat will play a key role in preventing non-communicable diseases. We expect that the government will finalize the regulations at the earliest,” said Prof Sohel Reza Chowdhury of the National Heart Foundation. Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, GHAI’s Bangladesh Country Lead, said “Unless trans-fat in food is eliminated, the risks of trans-fat-induced heart diseases will rise, expenditure on healthcare services will increase, and the economy of the country will incur losses.” PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair said young people generally consume more trans-fat-laden food. “If the trans-fat is not eliminated from food products, the young generation will be at fatal health risks,” he said. Read: Public health at risk as PHO found with excessive trans-fats in city: study At the webinar, it said TFA or trans-fat is a toxic food element that increases the risks of heart diseases and related premature deaths. Dalda or bonospoti ghee, as well as the foods prepared with it, fast food, and bakery items contain trans-fat. A study has estimated that one in every five youths in Bangladesh is vulnerable to heart diseases.Aiming to reduce the prevalence of risks of heart diseases and related premature deaths, the WHO has set the target of eliminating trans-fat from the global food supply chain by 2023. The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has drafted the “Limiting Trans Fatty Acids in Foodstuffs regulations, 2021”. It has already been vetted, but not finalized yet. With the theme of “Use Heart to Connect,” World Heart Day 2021 is going to be observed on Wednesday. Heart diseases are the prime cause of death globally. Most alarmingly, the youth of Bangladesh are highly prone to be diagnosed with heart diseases recently. Intake of trans-fat-laden food is a major cause of heart diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangladesh ranks among the 15 countries with the highest burden of trans-fat-induced heart diseases.

A recent study claims to have found that the habit of taking tea has significant impact in reducing the risk of heart attack or other heart related complexities.