The World Health Day will be observed in Bangladesh like elsewhere in the globe, highlighting the serious and increasing threat of vector-borne diseases, with the slogan “Small bite, big threat.”
Marking the day, the nation will host different programs, such as colourful processions, discussion meeting and others, to spread this year’s message: “Mosquitoes, flies, ticks and bugs may be a threat to your health and that of your family at home and when travelling,”
Health Minister Mohammed Nasim is expected to officially inaugurate the programmes in Bandarban at 11am.
On World Health Day 2014, World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for a renewed focus on vector control and better provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene, key strategies outlined in WHO’s 2011 roadmap for the control, elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases, which sets targets for the period 2012–2020, says a press release.
The statement also noted that more than half the world’s population was at risk from diseases such as malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, schistosomiasis, and yellow fever, carried by mosquitoes, flies, ticks, water snails and other vectors.
“Every year, more than one billion people are infected and more than one million die from vector-borne diseases,” the statement added.
“A global health agenda that gives higher priority to vector control could save many lives and avert much suffering. Simple, cost-effective interventions like insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying have already saved millions of lives,” said WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan.
“No one in the 21st century should die from the bite of a mosquito, a sandfly, a blackfly or a tick.”
