Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) Dr Valerie Ann Taylor and Executive Director of Thengamara Mohila Sajub Sangha (TMSS) Prof Dr Hosne Ara Begum have received Public Health Foundation Award for their outstanding contribution to their respective fields.

Public Health Foundation of Bangladesh (PHFBD) awarded them today, the
closing day of the two-day scientific conference on health, organised marking the third Public Health Foundation Day, a press release said today.

Founder and President of National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute National Professor Dr Abdul Malik attended the function as the chief guest, while Daily Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman and icddr,b Deputy Executive Director Dr Abbas Bhuiya were the special guests.

PHFBD Chairman Prof Dr M Muzaherul Huq and CEO Prof Dr Sharmeen Yasmeen and Faith Bangladesh Vice-Chairperson Nilufer Ahmed Karim also spoke at the function.

Dr Malik called for giving more focus on prevention of diseases, rather than their cure and establishment of health facilities, for tackling diseases. "Establishment of hospitals is not the answer (to diseases), the answer is prevention," he said.

Dr Malik said the attention of Bangladesh is shifting from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as NCDs have appeared as the major causes of deaths. He laid emphasis on training of physicians, nurses and paramedics on NDCs to fight the diseases.

Matiur Rahman alleged irregularities in the health education sector and urged all concerned to maintain the quality in the field.

Calling for raising government allocation for health, Muzaherul Huq said no nation can attain economic and social development unless they can ensure good health of its people. "The government has to formulate public health policy instead of health policy," he said.

Sharmeen Yasmeen highlighted the activities of Health Foundation of
Bangladesh, noting that the organisation is working for grooming health professionals of the country.

Twenty-two study reports and papers were presented on the concluding day of the seminar organised by Public Health Foundation of Bangladesh and Faith Bangladesh marking the third Public Health Foundation Day.

The papers deal with diversified health issues including universal
health coverage in Bangladesh, non-communicable diseases, maternal health and health system.