icddr,b recognises its staff’s outstanding work during the humanitarian response in the Rohingya camps and the diarrhoeal outbreak in Dhaka

Dhaka, 02 August, 2018 - icddr,b continues to lead the fight against cholera by mass vaccination, and through treating diarrhoeal disease across the globe. Always at the forefront of protecting the Bangladesh population, icddr,b recognised the essential role its talented and dedicated staff play in keeping disease in check at a ceremony at its Mohakhali headquarters today. The Government of Bangladesh was represented by the Hon. Health Secretary Mr Md. Serajul Huq Khan, Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

During the early days of the Rohingya exodus in Sep 2017 icddr,b partnered with Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and other organisations to conduct an initial risk assessment of the Rohingya (Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals - FDMNs) camps in Cox’s Bazar. It showed that pre-emptive action must be taken to avoid a cholera outbreak. Nearly 1 million people are living in makeshift shelters under compromised water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, an ideal condition for infectious diseases like cholera to spread.

icddr,b has dealt with large-scale cholera outbreaks worldwide since the 1960s covering all countries with humanitarian outbreak including Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen among others. 

Cholera kills 95,000 people each year and affects an additional 2.9 million people worldwide. The disease often strikes regions steeped in conflict that lack sanitation and where malnutrition runs rampant. Cholera can be fatal within hours if untreated.

Consequently, icddr,b assisted the government to apply for the oral cholera vaccine to ICG, WHO and  deployed the largest immunisation team by a single organisation comprised of 150 staff to undertake second largest cholera vaccination campaign in history. A post immunisation coverage assessment confirmed staggering success, of more than 90% coverage, which was made possible by the relentless efforts of icddr,b staff on the ground often coping with extreme adverse weather conditions. A second OCV campaign is underway, vaccinating close to 1 million FDMNs and Bangladeshis in the area.

Meanwhile in Dhaka, a vast diahorreal outbreak spread rapidly.  icddr,b received an unprecedented number of diarrhoeal patients (55,222) during Mar-May 2018, the highest number since the 2007 floods. icddr,b's Dhaka Hospital staff stood by its motto of ‘TURN NO PATIENT AWAY’ and thus continue saving lives by working overtime offering a high standard of clinical care.    

Today, icddr,b is proud to recognise the outstanding contribution of its staff during its humanitarian  response in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and the diarrhoeal outbreak in Dhaka.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. John D Clemens, Executive Director at icddr,b said, “It gives us immense pleasure to recognise all of our extraordinary staff who have shown commitment, confidence and compassion while delivering excellent services to protect the FDMN population in Cox’s Bazar and during the outbreak in Dhaka. Today twenty of our colleagues will represent all involved in these two life-saving activities as I am joined by the Hon. Secretary, representing the close partnership we have with the Government of Bangladesh, in presenting them with a plaque of recognition.”   

Md. Serajul Huq Khan, Secretary, Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family, Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has appreciated the effort made by icddr,b. He recognised those particularly involved in the vaccination campaign in the Rohingya camps and the management of the diarrhoeal disease outbreak in Dhaka. While he congratulates the awardees he has also acknowledged the role played by all at icddr,b.

Awarded staffs, their supervisors, senior leadership team members, representatives from development partners among others attended the programme.

 

TIK