25/04/2026
The Department of Public Health and the Public Health Club of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) observed World Health Day on April 13, 2026, through a series of events and engagements on campus.
Under the theme “Together for Health: Stand with Science”, the day’s activities included an inter-university poster and video exhibition and a seminar, titled “Acute Malnutrition of Children in Bangladesh: A Public Health Problem Often Ignored”. The seminar featured Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director, icddr,b, as the keynote speaker and Dr. Md. Khairul Islam, Regional Director, WaterAid South Asia, as special guest.
In his keynote, Dr. Ahmed stated that 8-11% children under five years of age in Bangladesh suffer from wasting and that severely malnourished children face significantly higher mortality risk. He identified food insecurity, inadequate feeding practices, infections, climate factors, and limited access to treatment as key drivers. He also presented a locally developed ready-to-use therapeutic food named “Sharnali” and stated that science-based and locally relevant solutions are required to address national health challenges.
A total of 152 posters and 23 videos were submitted by participants from nine universities and medical colleges. Following a three-stage evaluation process, 50 posters and 17 videos were selected for exhibition, 20 posters and 10 videos advanced to the second round, and three posters and three videos were selected as top entries. The exhibition was held at the IUB Student Activity Area.
In the poster category, Md. Enamul Haque Naeem from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University secured the first place for his poster themed “One World, One Health;” IUB’s Atkia Amena stood second for her poster “Digital Surveillance for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Bangladesh”; and Abu Sayed secured third place for “The Digital Sentinel.”
In the video category, Adnan Rahman from BRAC University secured first place, Aquib Ahmed Tahsin from Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College clinched second place, and Jannatul Ferdous Arpa from IUB became third.
Prof. M. Tamim, Vice Chancellor of IUB, said scientific knowledge and innovation are required to address malnutrition, neonatal health, and infant mortality. Dr. Kamran Ul Baset, Dean of SPPH, acknowledged the participation of students and collaborating institutions. The program concluded with the distribution of awards to selected participants.
