National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh

Every year, the World Heart Federation (WHF) globally observes World Heart Day on 29 September to promote healthy lifestyle. As a part, the Heart Day was celebrated by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) a member of WHF in the bid to generate awareness on efforts to fight cardiovascular diseases in the country.

This year’s theme was ‘My heart, Your Heart’. A cycle rally, walkathon, awareness seminar & free heart camp was organized by NHFB to observe the World Heart Day 2018. Several affiliated bodies of NHFB also observed similar programs at district level in Bangladesh.

Cycle Rally and Walkathon

Early in the morning at 7 AM on 29 September 2018 a cycle rally and walkathon was started from Mirpur Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium. After circumambulation on streets, the rally was ended at National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute (NHFH&RI) premises. The rally was targeted to raise awareness among the common people. About 300 doctors, nurses, social workers and people from communities participated in the rally. T-shirt & Cap printed with World Heart Day 2018 messages and distributed to participants of cycle rally and walkathon. Banner & festoon demonstrating WHD message was carried in the rally.

General Awareness Seminar

After the cycle rally and walkathon, a general awareness seminar was held at the auditorium of NHFH&RI, Mirpur. National Professor Brig. (Rtd.) A Malik, Founder & President, NHFB presided over the seminar. In his speech, Professor Malik warns the audience about heart disease, as it’s become the most deadly disease in Bangladesh. So, he emphasized on creating awareness among people. And the government has to take initiative to conduct the awareness campaign vastly. He also informs that National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh as well as several affiliated body of National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh observes World Heart Day every year.

Honorable Minister, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, Mr Mohammad Nasim, MP grace the occasion as the chief guest. In his address, the Minister thanked NHFB to observe the World Heart Day regularly in Bangladesh. He praised the foundation for it’s effort to make people aware & prevention of heart diseases. He argued that, the government is committed to stop tobacco use in the country, to prevent heart disease. He also appealed the people to be physically active and eating healthy food.

Professor Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Director General, Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Dr. Bardan Jung Rana, Country Representative, WHO Country Office for Bangladesh, attended the seminar as special guests. Mr. Nawshad Hossain, Joint Secretary General, NHFB delivered the welcome address and emphasized primary prevention of heart disease through awareness building for lifestyle modifications. A keynote speech was presented on the theme of World Heart Day, ‘My Heart, Your Heart’ by Professor Farooque Ahmed, Chief Cardiac Surgeon of NHFH&RI. Dr. Mohammad Serajul Islam, Vice President, NHFB delivered vote of thanks to the participants, media personnel and sponsors of the programme.

About 350 participants such as physicians, nurses and paramedics, local leaders, school teachers, religious heads attended the seminar. Large number of journalists form print and electronic media also attended the programme.

Free Heart Camp:

A free Heart Camp was organized at the premises of NHFH&RI. In the heart camp, blood pressure, weight and height were measured in 300 participants. Those who had high risk, were advised for life style modification and referred for further medical evaluation. A leaflet was distributed among the visitors of heart camp regarding the prevention of cardiovascular diseases from these camps.

Observance of WHD 2018 by affiliated bodies of NHFB

Several affiliated bodies of NHFB such as Feni Heart Foundation, Feni; Sylhet Heart Foundation, Sylhet; Zia Heart Foundation, Dinajpur; Faridpur Heart Foundation, Faridpur; Chadpur Heart Foundation, Chadpur; Sherpur Heart Foundation, Sherpur; Gazipur Heart Foundation, Gazipur; Tangail Heart Foundation, Tangail; Gopalganj Heart Foundation, Gopalganj observed the day outside Dhaka city by various activities such as rally, awareness seminar and general discussion etc.

Printing of poster & brochure:

A colored brochure & poster carrying the message of World Heart day 2018 were printed to create public awareness for this occasion. That brochure was distributed all over the Dhaka city and Bangladesh through the affiliated bodies of NHFB.

Reports on the observance of WHD 2018 in media:

Different national leading print and electronic media of the country made huge coverages on observance of WHD 2018. Several television and radio channels aired speeches taken from the consultants of NHFH&RI, Dhaka.