WHO DG Dr Margaret Chan visited Bangladesh

Praising Bangladesh's achievements in improving health of the people of the country WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan said, “High level of political commitment and community participation can make any programme successful”. She was addressing in a meeting at Chougacha, Jessore during her two day visit to Bangladesh on 8-9 March, 2010.

Dr Chan’s visit was in response to an invitation from the Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh extended to the DG during her visit to Geneva. The main focus of her visit included WHO assistance in strengthening vaccine production capacity, operationalzing of the community clinics, improving emergency medical services in Non Disastrous Situation, mitigation of adverse health impact of climate change and health impact of community level micro credit scheme in Bangladesh. She visited Cyclone Aila affected Satkhira district and rural health activities at Jessore district. She also visited micro credit programme of the national NGO ‘BRAC’ at Chougasa Upazilla of Jessore,

During the visit, Dr Margaret Chan met with the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Honourable Minister for Health and Family Welfare Professor Dr A F M Ruhal Haque, Honourable Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Honourable Advisor to the Prime Minister Professor Dr Modasser Ali, Honourable State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Captain (retd) Mujibur Rahman Fakir, other high officials and UN Heads in Bangladesh.

Dr Margaret Chan was accompanied by Dr Daisy Mafubelu, Assistant Director-General for Family and Community Health, Dr Ian Smith, Adviser to the Director-General and Dr Subhash Salunke, Assistant Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia. Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol, WHO Representative to Bangladesh, assisted the WHO Director General during her visit in Bangladesh.