The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Health and Family Welfare Adviser Major General (retd) Dr ASM Matiur Rahman yesterday urged all to take part in the anti-smoking campaign as smoking is harmful to both smokers and non-smokers.

"Eighty percent of Chronic Obstruction of Pulmonary Disease (COPD) could be prevented just by giving up smoking," he said while speaking at a scientific seminar as the chief guest here, an official Handout said.

The seminar was organised by Bangladesh Lung Foundation (BLF) to mark the World COPD Day at National Asthma Centre auditorium of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Hospital.

The adviser said the government is actively considering setting up respiratory unites at all medical college hospitals across the country as a lot of people suffer from lung diseases.

Quoting a recent survey report, the adviser said 65 lakh people of the country have been suffering from COPD. Of the COPD patients, 80 percent are poor though the treatment of the disease is very expensive, the report said.

Presided over by BLF President Professor Dr M Rashedul Hasan, the seminar was also addressed by Director General of Health Department Dr Mohammad Shahjahan Biswas and BLF Secretary General Professor M Ali Hossain, among others.

Director of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Hospital Professor Dr M Mostafizur Rahman presented the keynote paper.