Responses for Voluntary global

Targets from Bangladesh

Date : 14.11.23 Presented By- Sanchita Banerjee

Concept :
Voluntary global targets can be distinguished by some criteria such as
Behavioral risk factor , Biological risk factor and National System responses.
In Bangladesh, Government focuses on mainly

• Tobacco use
• Treatment for major non-communicable diseases
• Harmful use of Alcohol
Tobacco Use
The first country to sign the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
(FCTC) in 2003 which is the world’s first health treaty against the global tobacco
epidemic. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) enacted the Smoking and
Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act in 2005.
Goals :
• The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) is committed to a “tobacco-free
Bangladesh” by 2040
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Policies :
• Smoking is now prohibited in selected public places and on public
transports.
• A ban on advertisement of tobacco products was also imposed, together
with health warnings on product packaging. Strong guidelines for FCTC
Article 11, adopted in 2008, state that graphic warnings that cover at least
50% of the principal display areas of the package should be included.
• Smoke Less Tobaccos(SLT) are available in various forms including Zarda,
Gul, Khaini and Sada Pata and their low price make it affordable to
everyone.
• Increasing tobacco taxes are currently being implemented toward tobacco
use abatement.
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Challenges :
• A shortage of resources to carry on a sustainable tobacco control program.
• Perceived economic benefit that the national economy enjoys from
tobacco sales
• Strong lobbying influence of tobacco industry.

Reference :
• https://www.who.int/bangladesh/news/detail/15-01-2017-making-a-difference-tobacco-
control-in-bangladesh
Major non-communicable diseases
The major NCDs that contribute to
41 % of the total deaths include:
Death percentages
Cardio-vascular Cancer
chronic Respiratory Diabetes
According to WHO(2010) a high
prevalence of NCD risk factors among
Bangladeshi people are
Factors
Food habit Physical activity 27% Tobacco
SL Tobacco Hypertension Over weight
Treatment for major non-communicable diseases
Currently, the government's health care system has been given more
importance to the control of non-communicable diseases. That's why the
"Multisectoral Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable
Diseases, 2018-2025" with a three-year effective plan has been adopted.
Goals :
• Sustainable development goal (SDG) 3, "Ensure healthy lives and promote
well-being for all at all ages': provides a high degree of importance to NCD
control and targets to reduce premature NCD deaths by one third by 2030.
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Policies :
• The implementation of the action plan employs a "health in all policies"
approach engaging actors outside the health sector to tackle and influence
public policies on shared risk factors, such as tobacco use, unheaIthy diet,
physicaI inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and exposure to poor quaIity air.
• Notable activities included implementation of pilot activities, such as
"health promotion model villages" for NCD control established in a few
areas, and "model school initiatives" commenced in 91 schools in rural
areas.
• "NCD corners“ were set up in selected health facilities.
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Challenges and opportunities
• Requires commitment and full time staff.
• Equipping primary health care with basic medicines and technology.
• Regulation is critical to ensure that service providers comply with the set
standards in case of PPP( public-private partnership).
• Providing NCD services for underserved slum populations and street dwellers
remains a challenge.
Despite gaps, Bangladesh is making progress in prioritizing NCD services. A
multi-sectoral response to NCDs will be necessary to further consolidate an
effective national response to control the growing threat of NCDs.
References :
• Multi-sectoral action plan for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases 2018-2025. (2018). Dhaka:
Non-communicable Disease Control Programme, Directorate General of Health Services.
Use of Alcohol
As reports , Bangladesh has almost zero alcohol consumption. Over 90% of the
population( mostly Muslims) live alcohol-free. As a result, the country has relatively low alcohol
harm.

Policies :
• Introduction of a minimum age of 21 years for alcohol sales.
• License, permit, and renewal fees for alcohol have been increased.
• All alcoholic product bottles must carry a health warning label.
• Alcohol permit holders or license holders are not allowed to show alcohol products to other
persons for commercial or other purposes to attract people.
• The rules have specified new opening and closure times of bars and liquor selling shops.

Reference:
• https://movendi.ngo/news/2022/02/24/bangladesh-introduces-new-alcohol-policy-measures-
including-alcohol-age-limit-and-health-warnings/