NGO News

Apr252025 by No Comments

Experts Call for Strengthening TC Law

Tobacco is one of the major contributing factors to non-communicable deaths (NCDs). The prevalence of tobacco use claims nearly 442 lives each day in Bangladesh. It is quite impossible for the country to achieve Target 3.4 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), i.e. reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one third, without ensuring effective tobacco control. Against this backdrop, public health experts, doctors and economists have called for immediate strengthening of the country's tobacco control law. Delay in strengthening tobacco control law will only result in a higher death toll. Experts expressed such concern today (24 April 2025, Thursday) during a roundtable meeting titled "Strengthening of Tobacco Control Law to Safeguard Public Health and Achieving SDGs:...

Apr242025 by No Comments

Country’s First Renewable Energy Festival Kicked Off at BUET

Breaking News, NGO News

With the aim of shaping a roadmap for a just and green energy transition through policy reform, showcasing innovative technologies, and ensuring active youth participation, the 'Renewable Energy Fest 2025' was inaugurated on 23 April at BUET through a vibrant ceremony. This two-day festival marks Bangladesh’s first celebration dedicated to renewable energy. It has been jointly organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, BUET, and the Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD). Distinguished guests formally inaugurated the festival by unveiling a symbolic sculpture. Following the opening ceremony, guests visited festival stalls of the Innovation and Technology Fair, where local innovators showcased cutting-edge technologies and ideas in renewable energy. Corporations also presented their...

Apr212025 by No Comments

Call for Formulation of Guidelines to Ban Smoking Scenes on OTT Platforms

Breaking News, NGO News

Over exposure to smoking scenes on OTT platforms—highly popular among adolescents and young adults—is encouraging them toward addiction. Such practices contradict existing laws and cultural values. To protect the youth and ensure enforcement of tobacco control laws, there is an urgent need to develop a separate and specific guideline for OTT content.This demand was made during a seminar titled "Need for Guidelines to Regulate Smoking Scenes in OTT Content", jointly organized by Madok Draba and Nesha Nirodh Sangstha (MANAS), the Department of Film and Media Studies, and the Department of Journalism and Media Studies of Stamford University Bangladesh. The seminar was held on the morning of April 20, 2025, at Stamford University’s Siddheshwari Campus.The event was graced by the Vice-C...

Apr202025 by No Comments

Experiences Shared in Improving Healthcare for First-time Parents

Breaking News, NGO News

Couples who are or will be parents for the first time need a clear understanding of postpartum care and postnatal family planning. The international development organization Save the Children has implemented a project titled ‘Shongzog’ to increase the rate and quality of postpartum care for First-Time Parents (FTPs) and increase the uptake rate of postnatal family planning methods.The project closing event was organized by Save the Children at a hotel in the capital today, Wednesday, highlighting the goals, activities, and various achievements of the Shongzog project. It was stated that the project has played a significant role in achieving Bangladesh's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by improving healthcare for couples who are or will be new parents. The closing ceremony of the S...

Apr132025 by No Comments

National Heart Foundation Congratulates Dhaka Divisional Commissioner for Declaring Deputy Commissioners’ Office Premises 100% Smoke-Free

Breaking News, NGO News

National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute (nhfh&ri) has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka, Mr. Sharf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, for issuing an official directive to declare the premises of all Deputy Commissioners’ offices across the Dhaka Division as 100% smoke-free. The order also mandates the removal of any designated smoking areas within these premises, ensuring enhanced protection for non-smokers. On Sunday morning (April 13, 2025), a delegation from nhfh&ri met with the Divisional Commissioner to express their appreciation for this public health-focused initiative. During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the nhfh&ri, cited findings from the Global Adul...

Apr102025 by No Comments

Directive to Stop Display of Tobacco Product Advertisements at Points of Sale

Breaking News, NGO News

In an effort to protect public health, the Bangladesh Grocery Business Association (BGBA) has issued a directive prohibiting the display, advertisement, and promotional activities of tobacco products at points of sale.In an official order titled "Directive on the Prohibition of Tobacco Product Advertisement at Point of Sale (POS)," the BGBA stated that smoking and the use of tobacco products are extremely harmful to public health, while also having detrimental effects on the national economy and the environment. In Bangladesh, approximately 161,000 people die annually due to tobacco use. Additionally, 35.3% of the population aged 15 and above use tobacco products, and 51.4% of people are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places and transportation.The directive also highlights t...

Apr92025 by No Comments

Sustainable funding crucial to control hypertension

Breaking News, NGO News

World Health Day 2025 has been observed this year under the theme "Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures." To mark the occasion, research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) organized a webinar titled "Controlling Hypertension to Safeguard Public Health: Bangladesh Perspective" on 9th April (Wednesday), with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). It was informed during the webinar that hypertension and various other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 71% of total deaths in Bangladesh, yet the budgetary allocation to combat NCDs comprises only 4.2% of the total health budget. To address this alarming situation, it is imperative to increase the allocation for this sector in the upcoming budget for FY 2025-26. According to a World Health Orga...

Apr82025 by No Comments

160 Public Transport Drivers Trained by DAM and BRTA

Breaking News, NGO News

With the aim of proper implementation of Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products (Control) Act (Amendment-2013) initiative of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority-BRTA and Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Health Sector training has been provided to 160 public transport drivers at the Zoar Sahara BRTC Bus Depot in capital on April 8, 2025.Adut Rahman Imon, Program Officer of the Tobacco Control Project of the Health Sector of DAM, presented a documentary on implementing the Tobacco Control Act and health damage among professional drivers.In the training, public transport drivers (Bus, CNG, Laguna, Tempu) are informed about the bad effects of direct and indirect smoking, health hazards, and tobacco control laws. Passengers, especially women and children, are indirectly exposed to smoke in public tr...

Mar272025 by No Comments

Safety Network Bangladesh Hosts Tribute to Resilience and Unity on Independence Day

Breaking News, NGO News

Safety Network Bangladesh proudly organized the "Heroes of '24 Grand Iftar and delivering Eid gift hampers on Independence Day to martyred families and injured survivors," followed by a momentous communal gathering held to honor the indomitable spirit of the July-August 2024 uprising heroes. This landmark event, hosted at Hotel Lakeshore in Gulshan yesterday, brought together foreign diplomats, prominent socio-cultural figures, and security professionals to pay tribute to the sacrifices made for freedom and justice, while extending tangible support to affected families.The evening was graced by Chief Guest Brigadier General (Retd.) M. Sakhawat Hossain, Honorable Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, whose presence underscored the event’s national significance. Distinguished special gues...

Mar272025 by No Comments

Volunteers for Environment-(VFE) Brings Eid Joy to Underprivileged Children in Dhaka

Breaking News, NGO News

Volunteer for Environment (VFE) an environment and climate focus voluntary non-profit organization spread the spirit of Eid by organizing a gift distribution event for underprivileged and orphaned children at Surovi School in Dhanmondi, Dhaka in the Capital. The amazing initiative, supported by the Marketing Alumni Association (University of Dhaka), Bangladesh Environmentalist Society and Shohojog, aimed to bring the festive joy of Eid to those who need it most. During the event, over 150 underprivileged and orphaned children were presented with new clothes and essential educational supplies, offering them not only material support but also a sense of belonging and celebration. The initiative highlighted the importance of community support and social responsibility during the festive se...