The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Barisal

Workshop on Sunday revealed that at least 41 people died of arsenic contamination and 833 have been suffering from the disease in the six districts under the Barisal division so far.

They also said public awareness of using tubewell water can save them from the contamination. The workshop on 'Arsenicosis and awareness of it' organized by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, was held at the Celebrity Point at Police Lines Road here. Presided over by Dr Farid Ahmed Chowdhury, the workshop was attended by Joint Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Ministry Md Yubur Rahman as the chief guest while Arsenic Programme Manager of the department Dr Nuruzzaman, DD Health of Barisal Division Dr A Rashid and Civil Surgeon Dr Pulin Kumar Shingha were the special guests.

Dr Farook Hossain and Dr Mamun attended the workshop as resource persons. All civil surgeons and upazila health officials in the six southern districts were present in the workshop. Yubur Rahman called upon the participants to make arsenicosis as a mass-oriented revolutionary programme so that the people could know the causes of the disease, which might led to cancer.