Nasim: The Rohingya came to Bangladesh with fatal ailments

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim has said the Rohingya entered Bangladesh with deadly diseases. "Though we gave shelter to Rohingya people on humanitarian grounds, we are now trying our best to stop them from spreading diseases among the locals," he said while inaugurating a health camp at the Sagor-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in Dhaka on Wednesday. Shakhawat Hossain Badsha, president of DRU, chaired the programme. The minister also urged parents not to give their children fast food, advising locally grown seasonal fruits instead as it helps the prevention of diabetes. He further encouraged outdoor sports for children to aid physical growth. On a separate note, Nasim, also an Awami League presidium member, said: "The election will be held under the incumbent government, according to the constitution." Among other speakers at the event, Professor AK Azad Khan, president of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, said: "Diabetes has become an epidemic in the country and it is high time to take measures to prevent the fast-spreading decease." Azad added that there are at least 7,000,000 diabetes patients currently in the country and 20% of expecting mothers have been diagnosed with the ailment. According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as many as 603,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh fleeing the violence in Myanmar which ensued on August 25, as of October 23.