He said these things at a joint exchange meeting of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held today at the conference room of the Ministry of Health.
The State Minister for Information said that in developed countries, children are taught about health risks and awareness from an early age. In Bangladesh as well, it is necessary to adopt an effective 'Social Health Awareness' program consistent with social and family values.
He said that it is not just about birth control; rather, child health, prevention of child marriage, adolescent health education, and disease prevention—everything must be included.
He further said that despite limited resources—such as vehicles, fuel, or manpower—work cannot stop. Government resources belong to the people, so they must be utilized through coordination. He emphasized spreading health messages using mass media and digital platforms.
Yaser Khan Chowdhury said that in health sector campaigns, there is overlapping of work in many places, which can be reduced through coordination. Modern videos, reels, and digital content can be produced through the Department of Information and the DFP and disseminated nationwide. At the same time, he emphasized coordination by mentioning the delivery of these messages at the field level through courtyard meetings, educational institutions, and union level.
He said, considering the behavioral changes of the current generation, it is essential to create awareness through digital content. 'Many people are not interested in reading books, but visual content has a greater impact on people's minds,' he added.
At the meeting, he instructed to formulate an integrated action plan as soon as possible, which will include an outline for pilot projects or full implementation across the country.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister for Health Dr. M A Mohit said that more importance should be given to digital platforms and social media in increasing health awareness. He emphasized the dissemination of behavior change messages targeting adolescents.
He said that habits formed in childhood last a lifetime. Therefore, it is crucial to deliver the right message at the right age. Besides, he proposed organizing a joint workshop on family planning where media experts and health sector experts will work together to determine targeted messages.
Others who spoke at the meeting included Health Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad, Director General (current charge) of the Department of Mass Communication Md. Abdul Jalil, Director General of the Family Planning Directorate Dr. Jinnat Rehana, and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Mahfuja Akhtar.
The meeting emphasized strengthening coordination between the two ministries and conducting effective, modern, and targeted public health campaigns.
