The forth Café Scientifique discusses social and healthcare needs of the elderly

Dhaka, 14 January, 2019 - Today, icddr,b’s ‘Strengthening Health, Applying Research Evidence (SHARE)’ project in collaboration with the Department of Population Sciences (DPS), University of Dhaka have organised the fourth Café Scientifique with the theme of social and health care needs of elderly population in Bangladesh. This is a platform for open discussion among researchers, government stakeholders, health professionals, journalists and students.

Held at Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium at University of Dhaka (DU), the discussion provided an opportunity to a diverse group of participants to engage in research backed conversation on social and health care needs of elderly population in Bangladesh.

To kick off the discussion, Mohammad Belal Hossain, Associate Professor, DPS, DU presented his findings on current situation of social and health care needs of the elderly population in Bangladesh. He said that, the rapidly growing social and healthcare challenges of the elderly (60+) population, which is about 8 percent of the total population. The discussion has also sought ways to address the emerging challenges the elderly face in country.

Dr. ATM Iqbal Anwar, Scientist and Project Director, SHARE project of icddr,b in his address highlighted the importance of introducing elderly people friendly health service, for example by introducing old age corner in every Upazilla Health Complex countrywide. In addition, he said that the health policy should include this group of people to avail health service considering different economic class and social condition.

From participating students Ms Tabassum, student of womens and Gender Studies of University of Dhaka suggested to include women elderly citizen while designing any policy for this group of population as most often the women are more vulnerable due to critical female diseases in our society.

Professor Dr Mohammad Mainul Islam, DPS, DU has moderated the discussion, while Dr. M Mushtuq Hussain, Coordinator, Coordination and Support Centre, DGHS and Dr Md Khalekuzzaman, Dr. Mahbub Allehi, Scientist, Head of Universal Health Coverage Division, icddr,b, also spoke on the occasion.   

Earlier in 2017-2018, three café scientifique discussions were held on three different themes at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on ‘Healthy lifestyle to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)’, at University of Dhaka on ‘Breast cancer scenario: prevention and awareness’ and at James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University on ‘Prevention of NCDs among Urban Adolescents and Young Adults’.

Strengthening Health, Applying Research Evidence (SHARE) project is supported by the European Union.