Dissemination of ‘National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2020-2030’
World Mental Health Report has recently been published and National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2020-2030 Bangladesh has been approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The dissemination ceremony for the two important documents was held on 28 December 2022. The event was organized by Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC), DGHS and World Health Organization (WHO), with the intention to create awareness, understanding, and follow the important strategy paper and global report to design implementation programs accordingly.
Ms. Saima Wazed was the keynote speaker in her capacity as the Lead Consultant, National Mental Health Strategic Plan and Chairperson of Shuchona Foundation. Nazish Arman, Lead Coordinator, Content Development, and Md. Abu Arif, Trainer, Research and Capacity Building attended the event as representatives of Shuchona. Ms. Wazed talked about how Bangladesh has a Mental Health Act, Mental Health Policy, but required a strategic action plan for mental health. With the development of National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2020-2030, Bangladesh now has a comprehensive and evidence based mental health strategic action plan. She further stated the importance of a conducive environment for an individual's mental well-being, and that to achieve that, we need individual and collective effort as a nation. Mr. Zahid Maleque, M.P., and Hon'ble Minister, MoHFW was the Chief guest. In his speech, he emphasized on the importance of budget allocation and efficient workforce in the mental health sector.
M. Anwar Hossain Howlader, Secretary, Health Services Department, MoHFW attended as the Special Guest. Professor Abul Basar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, DG of the Directorate of Health presided over the program. Dr. Sadhana Bhagwat, Team Lead (NCD & MH), WHO Bangladesh presented the 'World Health Mental Health Report' and Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed, Associate Professor of Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychiatry at National Institute of Mental Health and our EC Member, presented the plan at the event.
