NGO News Archives - TheStatement24

Jul222026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Company Pushes to Market Nicotine Pouches, PROGGA-ATMA Call for Ban

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has recently initiated a process to formulate standards for nicotine pouches, a product considered harmful to public health. BSTI has undertaken this initiative by forming a Tobacco and Tobacco Products Technical Committee, which does not include representatives from the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) and tobacco control organizations. However, the committee includes representatives of tobacco companies. PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) have expressed alarm, stating that the involvement of tobacco companies in such a committee violates Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). In a joint press release issued on 21 July, the two organizations called for a comp...

Jul162026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

620 Public Transport Drivers Trained Under BRTA and DAM Initiative

Breaking News, NGO News

As part of a capacity-building initiative to ensure a sustainable smoke-free public transport system, a total of 620 public transport drivers have been trained under the initiative of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) with the support of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. According to a press release issued by Dhaka Ahsania Mission, the program titled “Professional Skills and Awareness Development Training for Professional Drivers” was conducted in four phases during July 2026 at the Joar Sahara BRTC Bus Depot in the capital. During the training sessions, Adut Rahman Imon, Program Officer of the Tobacco Control Project of the organization, presented audio-visual materials highlighting the implementation of tobacco control laws and the health hazards of tobacco use. Participants were...

Jul152026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Front-of-Package Labelling to Warn About Ultra-Processed Food Risks- Speakers at Journalists’ Workshop

Breaking News, NGO News

The consumption of ultra-processed foods and the associated risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing at an alarming rate in Bangladesh. Introducing Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL), simple warning labels on the front of food packages, can significantly curb the rise of NCDs by improving consumer awareness and supporting informed dietary choices. Through FOPL, consumers can identify at a glance whether a packaged food contains excessive amounts of salt, sugar, or saturated fat, enabling them to choose healthier options. To protect public health, the draft FOPL regulation should be finalized without delay. Speakers noted these remarks at a two-day journalists' workshop organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI),...

Jul142026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Achieving the SDG 3.4 Through FOPL: Media Engagement is Essential to Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases

Breaking News, NGO News

Dhaka, 14 July 2026: Public health experts, legal professionals and media representatives have called for the prompt formulation and implementation of Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) policy in Bangladesh to protect public health, ensure consumer’s right, prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and promote healthier food choices. The call came at a Media Advocacy Workshop on Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) in Bangladesh, organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) on Tuesday at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital. In his welcome remarks, Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health and Nutrition Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, said that the nutrition information currently displayed on packaged foods is often difficult for consumers to understand. As a result, many people unknowingly consume ...

Jul112026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh Welcomes DNCRP’s Declaration of All Offices as Smoke and Tobacco-Free

Breaking News, NGO News

National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) has welcomed the decision of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) to declare its headquarters as well as all divisional and district offices across the country as "Smoke and Tobacco-Free Areas." In a press release issued today (Saturday, 11 July 2026), NHFB said that through an office order issued on 2 July, the DNCRP, in accordance with the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026 has prohibited smoking and the use of all tobacco products within the premises and compounds of its headquarters and all divisional and district offices. The office order also instructs all offices to display visible signage declaring the premises as "Smoke and Tobacco-Free Areas." The press release noted tha...

Jul82026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Urge to Assign Registration Task to Healthcare Facilities- Speakers at Journalists’ Workshop

Breaking News, NGO News

Birth and death registration is essential to guarantee citizen rights such as education, healthcare, inheritance, and voting rights. Registration data is also crucial for national planning, good governance, and budget preparation. Currently, the birth and death registration rates in Bangladesh stand at 50% and 47%, respectively which is significantly lower than the global and regional averages. However, the government is committed to scaling up this rate to 100% by 2030. According to experts, amending the 'Birth and Death Registration Act, 2004' to legally mandate hospital authorities with registration responsibilities would fast-track the achievement of this target. Concurrently, it will accelerate Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 16.9, which aims to ensure legal identity for all...

Jul72026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Department of Agricultural Extension Declared Tobacco-Free to Protect Public Health

Breaking News, NGO News

To protect public health and safeguard non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has officially declared all of its premises as 100% smoke and tobacco-free in line with the national directive. The declaration was made on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, during a discussion meeting titled “Declaration of the Department of Agricultural Extension as a 100% Smoke and Tobacco-Free Institution” held at the conference room of the Department of Agricultural Extension. The declaration was announced by Dr. Md. Hazrat Ali, Director (Horticulture Wing) of the Department. Addressing the event as the chief guest, Dr. Hazrat Ali said that the harmful effects of smoking are not limited to smokers alone; non-smokers are equally vulnerable to the da...

Jul32026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Day-long Training Workshop Held to Strengthen Mental Health Service Capacity

Breaking News, NGO News

A day-long training workshop aimed at enhancing the professional capacity of mental health practitioners and promoting the effective application of evidence-based therapeutic approaches was held in Dhaka on July 3, 2026 Friday. The workshop was jointly organized by the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission and the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter at the auditorium of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. A total of 22 psychotherapists, psychosocial counsellors, and mental health professionals from various public and private institutions across the country participated in the training. The session was facilitated by Mr. Zahir Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). He highlighted the importance of evidence-based therapeutic interventions...

Jun272026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

Youth March Held to Mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Breaking News, NGO News

On 26 June 2026 the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2026, the Bangladesh Chapter of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), in collaboration with Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), organized a colorful youth march and awareness campaign today. The youth march began at 8:00 a.m. from the Star Gate of Ramna Park (in front of the Matsya Bhaban Gate) and concluded at the gate of Curzon Hall, University of Dhaka, passing through Osman Gani Road. More than one hundred young people participated in the event. Participants carried placards and wore campaign T-shirts and caps displaying messages promoting a drug-free society, protecting young people from the risks of substance use, and expanding evidence-based drug prevention initia...

Jun252026 by Statement DeskNo Comments

14th AGM of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society Held

Breaking News, NGO News

The 14th Annual General Meeting of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society (AAIBS) was held in Dhaka in hybrid mode on Wednesday (24June),in presence of both Executive Board and General Assembly members participating from various parts of the country and beyond. Suraya Akter, Country Manager of suPPPort, was elected as a member of the Executive Board, while Dr Samiya Selim, Professor at University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), was elected to the General Assembly. The General Assembly members approved the Annual Audit Report 2025 during the AGM. In addition to reviewing the major activities and achievements of the past year, AAIBS members discussed theupcoming activities and governance priorities of the organisation. Newly elected members were welcomed by the Chairperson of...