State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury today stressed the need for more effective health awareness programs and coordinated efforts between the Ministries of Health and Information to improve overall public health across the country.
Choudhury made the remarks at a joint view-exchange meeting between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held at the conference room of the Health Ministry.
He highlighted the importance of introducing an effective social health awareness program in harmony with the country's social and family values, drawing a parallel with developed countries where children are taught about health risks and awareness from an early age.
The state minister noted that these programs should encompass a wide range of topics beyond birth control, including child health, prevention of child marriage, adolescent health education, and disease prevention. He emphasized the need for a modern and coordinated approach to advance these initiatives.
Choudhury also stressed the importance of utilizing government resources effectively for public welfare through better coordination. He suggested that videos, reels, and digital content could be produced by the Department of Information and the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) and disseminated nationwide to create awareness, considering the behavioral changes of the present generation.
State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of digital platforms and social media in raising health awareness. He proposed organizing a joint workshop on family planning where media experts and health sector specialists could collaborate to develop targeted messages.
Health Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad, Acting Director General of the Department of Mass Communication Md. Abdul Jalil, Director General of the Directorate General of Family Planning Dr. Jinnat Rehana, and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mahfuza Akter also spoke at the meeting.
