JU Correspondent:

A scientific seminar titled “Impact of Climate Change on Public Health and Community Resilience in Bangladesh” was held at Jahangirnagar University (JU).

The seminar was organized by the Department of Public Health and Informatics at the university’s Senate Hall on Monday (November 3) at 10 am.

The event was graced by the presence of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, as the chief guest, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Dr. Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, as the special guest. The keynote papers were presented by the Coordinator of the Climate Change and Health Promotion Unit, Professor Dr. Md. Iqbal Kabir, and the Head of Program at Helvetas Bangladesh, Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan.

The speakers at the seminar said that the adverse effects of climate change are not limited to the environment alone; it is directly threatening public health. Air and water pollution, temperature rise, floods and natural disasters such as cyclones are increasing the incidence of infectious diseases, malnutrition and mental health risks are also increasing.

They also said that the geographical and social reality of Bangladesh is making the impact of climate change more complex. To deal with this situation, it is very important to take effective adaptation strategies in the public health sector, awareness raising and capacity building initiatives at the community level.

At the event, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said that climate change is now not only environmental, it is affecting every aspect of human life. Universities should not only work as knowledge centers, but also as solution-oriented research areas. Greenhouse gas production should be reduced. Half of all human diseases are due to climate change and environmental pollution. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to prevent environmental pollution.

He called for encouraging more research on the relationship between climate change and public health and thanked the University's Department of Public Health and Informatics for organizing such a knowledge-based event.

The seminar, organized under the chairmanship of Dr. Md. Sakhawat Hossain, President of the Department of Public Health and Informatics, was attended by Proctor Professor Dr. A. K. M. Rashidul Alam, teachers and students of the department, and concerned persons.