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Bangladesh needs spending Tk 75,690cr for fatty liver treatment

Staff Correspondent
07 Jun 2023 18:36:57 | Update: 08 Jun 2023 09:24:01
Bangladesh needs spending Tk 75,690cr for fatty liver treatment
— Courtesy Photo

Bangladesh needs to spend a minimum amount of Tk 75,690 crore for treatment of fatty liver disese, which is twice the current allocation for the health sector in the national budget, said physicians at a discussion on Wednesday.

The discussion was organized by the Hepatology Society to mark the sixth International Nash Day and took place at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital.

During the discussion, Professor Shahinul Alam, the general secretary of the society and a professor at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, emphasised the economic burden imposed by fatty liver disease in Bangladesh. Data collected by his team revealed that each fatty liver patient spends an average of Tk 16,800 for at least one treatment at a hospital. If all patients seek treatment at least once in their lifetime, the total cost would amount to Tk 75,690 crore, which is twice the current health sector allocation in the national budget.

Professor Alam further highlighted that the prevalence of complications associated with fatty liver disease, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, is also on the rise. The physical and economic damage resulting from these complications is significant.

D Md Saiful Islam Elin, a consultant hepatologist at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, mentioned that nearly 4.5 crore people in the country are affected by fatty liver, and this number is increasing day by day. He emphasised the crucial role that doctors must play in preventing fatty liver disease in the country.

Professor Golam Mostafa, an expert in the same field, focused on fatty liver prevention and stated that along with lifestyle changes, a 7 to 10 per cent weight loss is key to preventing fatty liver.

The discussion was chaired by prominent hepatologist and founder president of the Hepatology Society, Professor Mobin Khan. Major General (Retd) Professor Dr. ASM Matiur Rahman, former adviser to a caretaker government, attended the event as the chief guest. Dr Tahmid Ahmed, the executive director of icddr'b, Professor Mohammad Ali, the founder secretary general of the National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh, Professor Dr M Haroon-ur Rashid, president of the Bangladesh Accounting Association, Amir Khosru, a senior journalist, Professor Mohammed Eslam from the University of Sydney, Australia, and Donna Cryer, president of the Global Liver Institute, joined as special guests.

The Hepatology Society emphasised the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of fatty liver disease during the discussion and put forth several recommendations. These recommendations include the following: encouraging individuals to engage in at least 30 minutes of walking five days a week, promoting exercise through activities such as jumping rope, cycling, and swimming, ensuring the availability of adequate green spaces for walking and exercise, promoting cleanliness and green initiatives in cities to facilitate a healthy lifestyle, reducing the intake of processed and fried foods while increasing the consumption of milk, fruits, and vegetables, and avoiding all types of junk food.

The society also called for the establishment of standard criteria to maintain nutritional quality in processed foods, with a requirement for food processing industries to adhere to these standards by law. Additionally, it urged the provision of mandatory playgrounds in all schools and the inclusion of compulsory physical exercise at the beginning of classes. The introduction of school-based healthy meals and the creation of bicycle lanes on major roads were also recommended.

Following the discussion, the Hepatology Society organized a procession to raise awareness about fatty liver disease.

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