Inside Thought

Making the world a better place

Publish: 11:23 AM, 06 Dec, 2021

United Nations peacekeepers make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people every day. At a time when we are witnessing a trend of deteriorating security and political situations, more than 87,000 peacekeepers from over 120 countries are helping save lives, preventing conflict, and creating conditions for lasting peace. And they are doing so while increasingly coming under attack.

These peacekeepers are part of a collective investment in global peace and security, which starts with the commitment of all partners that make up UN peacekeeping. This includes the Member States, the Security Council, General Assembly, host countries, and regional and international organizations -- all of whom have the unique ability to shape our response in some of the world’s most complex settings.

If UN peacekeeping is the international community’s most effective tool to help countries transition to peace, what do our operations need to successfully face emerging and growing threats? What is required from this partnership to ensure that we meet the expectations of those we serve and can deliver on what we have set out to accomplish?

The answers to these significant questions lie at the heart of the 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial on December 7 and December 8 that will bring together more than 100 countries. The Ministerial will now be organized virtually by the Republic of Korea due to concerns surrounding the pandemic. From New York to London to Vancouver, this is the latest in a series of high-level events dating back to 2014 that has witnessed world leaders pledge substantial resources to strengthen and reinvigorate UN peacekeeping.

For example, as a result of this guiding process, the UN was able to create a stand-by force of 3,000 troops and police to deploy within 60 days, equipping us with the capability to send military resources to places such as the Central African Republic this year to respond to growing violence and shifts in the security situation. Generous contributions are helping ensure critical advances in the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, including the ability to deploy more women personnel with a view towards making peacekeeping more effective.

The objective of this year’s Ministerial is to garner political support and generate concrete pledges to strengthen UN peacekeeping, particularly through Action for Peacekeeping+ (A4P+). We have made progress strengthening the effectiveness of our work since 2018 as part of the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) agenda. A4P+, which we launched earlier this year, will catalyze progress in further enhancing the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping over the next two years.

UN peacekeeping requires new, more mobile capabilities that enhance protection of, both, peacekeepers and civilians, experienced troops, and police to help accomplish our mandates, better medical capacities and a digital transformation to increase situational awareness and confront new threats such as mis- and disinformation. These areas are well highlighted in the Seoul Initiative, which the Republic of Korea will announce as a key deliverable of the Ministerial.

At the same time, however, we must collectively do more, in partnership with Member States, to end sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel. In addition to being intolerable and their impact on communities, these acts by a very small minority of our peacekeepers tarnish the reputation and accomplishments of their colleagues who serve with dignity and honour. We must all play our part, including through training, accountability, and support to victims.

Member States are also being encouraged to increase the number of women peacekeepers serving and enhance their role, while simultaneously supporting women’s participation in peace processes.

As the host of the 2021 Seoul Ministerial and a strong supporter of UN peacekeeping, the Republic of Korea will announce its generous donation of more than a dozen helicopters to deploy to our missions. Other capabilities that the UN is expecting Member States to provide include rapidly deployable units, as well as training and capacity-building enhancements, with the goal of improving the overall responsiveness of military and police units.

This year’s pledging conference comes at a time when the world is still reeling from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have witnessed remarkable ways that peacekeepers have adapted quickly to unprecedented challenges and continued to implement core mandate activities.

From Lebanon to South Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our peacekeepers have saved lives by supporting national and local COVID-19 response efforts, including through donations of medical equipment, renovating hospitals, fighting misinformation, and informing populations of health risks -- all while keeping themselves and others safe.

Achieving sustainable peace requires that we continue to place political solutions at the heart of our collective efforts and partnership strategies. All of our peacekeeping missions exist to support political solutions, and elevated support for such political efforts is greatly needed from Member States. The Ministerial is a timely opportunity for leaders to reaffirm their support and maximize our chances of success -- the results of which will be felt for generations to come. Indeed, we owe nothing less to our peacekeepers who risk their lives each and every day, as well as the millions who count on us to succeed.

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Inside Thought

AI enabled Precision Treatment for Chronic Metabolic Diseases

Dr. Shahjada Selim

Publish: 02:01 PM, 16 Apr, 2024

Chronic metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, fatty liver, and dyslipidemia, often originate as an individual's metabolism gradually breaks down. Medical research reveals the unique functioning of each person's metabolism, posing challenges for healthcare providers in understanding and customizing personalized treatments. Addressing this complexity, a digital healthcare entity utilizes cutting-edge technology and advanced medical science to deliver personalized, precise, and timely insights with easy-to-follow recommendations to address the root cause.

Through an intuitive app, the AI-enabled Precision Treatment Technology provides members and the clinical care team individualized, precise, and timely guidance across medicine, nutrition, sleep, activity, and stress.

The Precision Treatment Platform serves as a dynamic model of each individual's unique metabolism, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) built from thousands of data points collected daily via wearable sensors, clinical lab parameters, and self-reported preferences. This platform offers thousands of parameters in a single dashboard to assist health coaches and doctors in deciding quickly. Clinical trials showed that the AI-enabled Platform assist not only to reverse type 2 diabetes but also improves the condition of dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, fatty liver, pancreas B cell dysfunction, inflammation and mental health of the patient.

In Bangladesh, approximately 13 million individuals are affected by Type 2 diabetes, with a prevalence rate of 12.5%, and an additional estimated 6 million patients remain undiagnosed. Chronic metabolic disease is a growing concern globally, with the worldwide prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome estimated at 20-25%. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 415 million people globally are living with type 2 diabetes, a number projected to surpass 500 million by 2040.

The AI-enabled treatment platform has impacted over 4 million lives. Noteworthy achievements include completing the world's first randomized controlled trial (RCT) for reversing chronic metabolic disease using digital twin technology. Recently published in the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, the one-year results showed a significant reduction in HbA1c in the intervention group (2.9% reduction from 9.0 to 6.1) and a significantly higher elimination of diabetes medications (94% elimination of type 2 diabetes medications in the intervention group). The study demonstrated an average weight loss of 7.4 kg, and 64% of members witnessed a normalization of their baseline non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The RCT continues into its 3rd year with sustained health outcomes.

Today, a large and growing number of people around the world are suffering from chronic metabolic diseases, including type-2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, and obesity. The Precision Treatment Platform’s innovative approach combines advanced technology, machine learning, and compassionate care to change the lives of these individuals. It empowers people to take control of their health and reverse metabolic diseases, including type-2 diabetes. The AI-enabled digital platform is delivering on its promise of happier and healthier people, offering significant cost savings to households and employer healthcare plans.

Author: Dr. Shahjada Selim, MBBS, MD (Endocrinology), MACE (USA). Currently serving as an Associate Professor in Endocrinology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, Dr. Selim specializes in Diabetes, Thyroid Disorders, Obesity, Metabolic Disorders, and Sexual Dysfunctions.

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Inside Thought

Bangladesh’s election: Widely boycotted or widely accepted?

Gautam Lahiri

Publish: 08:56 PM, 09 Apr, 2024

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is reveling in her golden era. Having already held four terms with thumping mandates, she retains the laurel of the globe’s longest-serving female head of government. Her win in January, which secured her fifth term in office, has elicited a barrage of plaudits from almost all quarters in the region. Hasina presents the rare case where both rival Asian powers China and India agree on the benefits of her place at the helm. Regional powers, irrespective of ideological and political leanings, rushed to congratulate her incoming administration. However, most eyes after the January election were fixed on the United States, given its vocal democracy promotion efforts in Bangladesh as of late. While the US State Department did say that the elections were not free or fair, US officials recognized the new government and pledged to collaborate with it going forward. With the US weight lifted, Hasina’s ship now looks to be sailing in smooth seas.

Yet, some argue, that election was widely boycotted. The two principal arguments underlying this claim are that the opposition parties boycotted the election and that Bangladeshis resoundingly rejected the poll in solidarity with the opposition’s call to boycott.

Participation or boycott?

While the major opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies did sit out the election, not all opposition parties followed suit. Out of forty-four registered parties, twenty-seven fielded candidates. Additionally, nearly 1,900 independent candidates threw their hats in the ring for three hundred parliamentary seats. So, while the BNP’s absence resounded, reasonable multiparty competition and voter choice still transpired across multiple constituencies.

The official voter turnout reached 41.8 percent—a lower figure than in Bangladesh’s last contested election, albeit not an unprecedented low. Some see this low turnout as one indication that the opposition’s boycott reflected popular sentiment. The opposition boycott undoubtedly dampened some voter turnout. However, low participation does not necessarily indicate a blanket public rejection of the polls owing to opposition exhortations. In the run-up to the vote, the BNP’s anti-election protests degenerated into a violent crusade. BNP loyalists were found to be complicit in torching hundreds of vehicles. The BNP called for forty-eight hours of nationwide strikes and blockades on the eve of voting day. Arsonists set fire to polling booths and a train, killing four. This prevailing climate of trepidation likely caused some voters to stay at home on election day. Expanding absentee balloting could be a solution, but barring some exceptions, average citizens cannot vote by mail. Crucially, expats, who account for 10 percent of all voters, were effectively disenfranchised.

More tellingly, in constituencies where robust, competing candidates vied for seats, voter turnout topped 60 percent, suggesting genuine electoral contests did mobilize voters. Conversely, anemic turnout in some constituencies seems to have stemmed from lack of competition, not voters boycotting the election outright in solidarity with the BNP.

Confusion persists, however, over the Election Commission’s reported voter turnout statistics. The Commission initially announced a 27 percent turnout rate at its afternoon press briefing, later announcing a 41.8 percent final turnout. The Election Commission said that the lower afternoon figure was not in real time; it did not yet reflect delayed updates from all polling centers. Since Bangladesh uses a manual paper ballot system, where votes are hand counted and tallied, there were a few hours of lag in transmitting results from rural areas. This lag could explain the gap between the afternoon number and the final announced turnout. In that case, it is not true that 14 percent of the total votes would have had to have been cast in the final hour for the final given turnout to be accurate, as some commentators have stated.

And perhaps the Election Commission is right. But with the seeds of doubt sown, the Election Commission could help resolve any lingering doubts by publishing a detailed breakdown of hourly vote counts from all polling stations. Such transparency would provide definitive clarity on the turnout question that confused some observers.

Is Bangladesh a one-party state?

As Bangladesh charts its course following another landslide election victory for the ruling Awami League (AL), some critics warn that the country is sliding toward effective one-party rule. With AL sweeping 223 seats and its loyalist independents winning 62 more—making 95 percent of elected members broadly aligned with the ruling party—they argue that no meaningful opposition exists in parliament.

But there are a couple of problems here. First, dismissing independent members of parliament simply as AL lapdogs overlooks intricacies within Bangladesh’s political landscape. All independents prevailed after intense electoral combat with AL candidates. They will enjoy unchecked freedom to wield their votes and voices in the parliament. Article 70 of Bangladesh’s constitution prohibits members of parliament from voting against their party. But as independent candidates lacking formal party affiliation, they are immune from this restriction. In this context, the AL merits praise for taking affirmative steps to foster electoral competition and pluralism, despite lacking a formidable challenger. The AL, by allowing senior party figures to compete as independents, certainly risked potential intraparty discord. Yet, it prioritized providing voters with genuine electoral alternatives and widening the diversity of voices in parliament.

Additionally, a party achieving an overwhelming parliamentary majority through an electoral process does not equate to a one-party state. In the past, the AL and the BNP have held similar supermajorities without making Bangladesh a one-party state. Similarly, India and Japan have experienced one-party dominance without losing multiparty democracy. The key question is whether the AL orchestrated this supermajority parliament or if it was an inevitable outcome given the BNP’s election boycott.

The BNP would argue the former—that there was never a level playing field and that the crackdown and mass arrest of BNP leaders after the October 28 rally precluded any chance of a fair election, deterring their participation. However, even by October 28, the BNP had already rendered itself irrelevant to the polls by refusing participation. The October 28 protest sought to obstruct an election to called by the Election Commission in mid-November. Thus, law enforcement—at that point under the Commission’s authority—used force to halt the turmoil and ensure the election proceeded. Therefore, the state’s response to the rally should not be construed as barring the BNP’s electoral participation. The disproportionate use of force merits separate evaluation, but it is better viewed through a law-and-order lens rather than an electoral one.

Accountability starts with showing up

Rather than making alarmist claims of creeping authoritarianism, observers should have asked why the primary opposition, the BNP, forfeited the field. Just as the government warrants scrutiny for proportionality of force, the BNP should be held accountable for executing its democratic duties.

As a major political party representing 170 million people, the BNP had a duty to give voice to voters in parliament. By boycotting the election over hypothetical unfairness, they severely undermined democratic processes and disregarded people’s right to meaningful electoral choice. Even if the BNP’s claims are taken at face value that elections under the AL have no precedent of being free and fair, the demand to reinstate a caretaker government still lacks foundation. Bangladesh’s supreme court ruled it unconstitutional in May 2011. Moreover, the previous caretaker system overstayed its mandate, invoked a national emergency, and imprisoned leaders across party lines.

The boycott only assisted the incumbent AL. This squandered the chance for punitive international actions and domestic resistance had the BNP participated and electoral fraud still demonstrably occurred. As such, one could conclude that the BNP pinned higher hopes on spurring a constitutional crisis amid caretaker rule than pursuing a public mandate through elections. Through this self-defeating gambit, the BNP catapulted the AL into power, even as questions linger over the ruling party’s commitment to democratic fairness.

Gautam Lahiri is the president of Press Club of India. He served as Bangladesh as an independent foreign observer of the 2024 general elections in Bangladesh.

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Inside Thought

Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, BMRC is at the forefront of research

Dr. A. B. M Abdullah

Publish: 10:09 PM, 24 Mar, 2024

The Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman emphasized that healthcare and its improvement were crucial for the development of the country. He believed that without advancements in healthcare and its infrastructure, and without people having the right to good health, building the nation would not be possible. Therefore, Bangabandhu formulated a beautiful policy framework at that time, which was both modern and scientifically sound. Most importantly, her daughter the visionary statesperson Sheikh Hasina has been implementing those policies in the same manner as Bangabandhu initiated, based on his foundational principles.

Bangabandhu's healthcare system was not only centralized in the capital, but it also extended to districts, police stations, unions, and even village levels. What we now call community clinics was Bangabandhu's dream. At that time, Bangabandhu could not implement the community clinic. However, today, his daughter, the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has successfully completed this initiative, setting a global example. Recognized by the United Nations as 'The Sheikh Hasina Initiative,' it stands unparalleled in the annals of world history, with no other individual having such a resolution named after them.

After independence, the healthcare system was completely disorganized and inadequate. At that time, Bangabandhu elevated the status of doctors to first class. There was no higher education or research opportunity for doctors after MBBS. Bangabandhu then established the IPGMR. Today, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina it is Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, holding a prominent position as an academic institution and its reputation has spread globally as well.

After the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975, BMRC was a toothless, spineless, dormant institution. When Sheikh Hasina took charge of the state, she handed over the responsibility of BMRC to Professor Dr. Syed Modasser Ali. BMRC is today a pioneer in research under the guidance of the Philosophical Statesperson Sheikh Hasina. But we have no chance of complacency. A few days ago, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instructed doctors to focus on research work. She is very interested in herself. In all fields of research only doctors seem to be a little weak in this regard. Hon'ble Prime Minister is ready to do whatever is necessary for this. All we have to do is take initiatives.

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Inside Thought

Developing health systems without evidence-based information is a challenging task

Professor Dr. Shah Monir Hossain
Former Director General, Directorate of Health

Publish: 10:08 PM, 24 Mar, 2024

After independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave us this instruction that for a state to prosper economically and stand firmly on its feet, the health of its people must be safeguarded. In line with this vision, he initiated the development of Bangladesh's healthcare system, laying down a blueprint for its advancement. This vision is enshrined in the constitution of Bangladesh, emphasizing the centrality of healthcare to the well-being of its citizens. Drawing inspiration from Bangabandhu's philosophy, our esteemed leader, Sheikh Hasina, continues to steer our nation, providing constant guidance and implementing effective measures to further enhance the country's healthcare system.

Developing the healthcare system in Bangladesh is challenging without evidence-based research. Without understanding our challenges and opportunities, progress in healthcare is hindered. Research is essential for identifying areas for improvement. We categorize this research into three parts: basic research, gathering evidence-based information for healthcare system development, and public health research. Each of these studies plays a crucial role in advancing our healthcare system.

Community Clinics became a gambling den because the BNP government never realized how much necessary it was for the country. We are delighted that today, under the leadership of visionary statesperson Sheikh Hasina, our country has revitalized these Community Clinics, reviving their programs. Now we need research. Therefore, the benchmark of Bangladesh's healthcare system will be these Community Clinics. In this case, BMRC has a vital role to play. If we can't collect research data, then we can't develop. We need to change our current health system but we need to do a thorough research on where the change is needed, why it is needed, and how it is needed. I believe that the current government under the guidance of the Philosophical Statesperson Sheikh Hasina will increase such research work. As a result, the activities of Bangladesh Medical Research Council will increase and become stronger.

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Inside Thought

Like the economy, we will also advance in research under the guidance of the Prime Minister

Professor Dr. Nahid Ferdowsi
Director, Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib Eye Hospital & Training Institute

Publish: 10:06 PM, 24 Mar, 2024

The Honourable Prime Minister has provided a strategic framework for medical research. Henceforth, we can develop a five-year action plan under the guidance of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC). It is imperative for doctors to show interest in medical research. Integration of research methodology into medical education curriculum is underway but requires reinforcement. Adequate evaluation mechanisms should be established for physicians committed to medical research. Offering research incentives to those dedicated to medical research instead of private practice is likely to attract numerous young doctors to the field. Incorporating research findings into national-level policy-making will not only incentivize researchers but also enhance systems for the utilization of research outcomes. An initiative should be launched to facilitate collaboration among researchers at all levels, both domestically and internationally. This will afford local researchers the opportunity to work alongside their international counterparts, while also allowing international researchers to recognize Bangladesh's potential in medical research.

Doctors should not only be stuck in pursuing higher degrees or promotions through research. In this regard, health policy makers should also take precedence. It is essential to ensure the participation of doctors in national and international seminars, both domestically and abroad. The more doctors participate in international seminars, the more they will be exposed to various aspects and methodologies of global research, which will stimulate their interest in research. Moreover, such seminars hold immense potential for bilateral research collaborations with researchers from different countries.

Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute, established in the name of Bangamata in Gopalganj, is the only regional research center of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council till now. I will again call to open a cell of "Bangamata National Cellular and Molecular Research Center" at our regional research center. Then, inspiration in research among the doctors of the southern-western region will be observed, and a new gateway of research will be opened in this region. Bangladesh is now globally recognized for its emerging economic power in the world economy. Under the guidance of the visionary statesperson, the Honorable Prime Minister, we will also advance in medical research. With the assistance of BMRC, we will conduct three internationally acclaimed researches from our regional research center and publish the results of the research in international standard journals. This is my commitment to the Honorable Prime Minister.

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বিজ্ঞাপন

AI enabled Precision Treatment for Chronic Metabolic Diseases

Chronic metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, fatty liver, and dyslipidemia, often originate as an individual's metabolism gradually breaks down. Medical research reveals the unique functioning of each person's metabolism, posing challenges for healthcare providers in understanding and customizing personalized treatments. Addressing this complexity, a digital healthcare entity utilizes cutting-edge technology and advanced medical science to deliver personalized, precise, and timely insights with easy-to-follow recommendations to address the root cause.
Bangladesh’s election: Widely boycotted or widely accepted?

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is reveling in her golden era. Having already held four terms with thumping mandates, she retains the laurel of the globe’s longest-serving female head of government. Her win in January, which secured her fifth term in office, has elicited a barrage of plaudits from almost all quarters in the region. Hasina presents the rare case where both rival Asian powers China and India agree on the benefits of her place at the helm. Regional powers, irrespective of ideological and political leanings, rushed to congratulate her incoming administration. However, most eyes after the January election were fixed on the United States, given its vocal democracy promotion efforts in Bangladesh as of late. While the US State Department did say that the elections were not free or fair, US officials recognized the new government and pledged to collaborate with it going forward. With the US weight lifted, Hasina’s ship now looks to be sailing in smooth seas.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, BMRC is at the forefront of research

The Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman emphasized that healthcare and its improvement were crucial for the development of the country. He believed that without advancements in healthcare and its infrastructure, and without people having the right to good health, building the nation would not be possible. Therefore, Bangabandhu formulated a beautiful policy framework at that time, which was both modern and scientifically sound. Most importantly, her daughter the visionary statesperson Sheikh Hasina has been implementing those policies in the same manner as Bangabandhu initiated, based on his foundational principles.
Developing health systems without evidence-based information is a challenging task

After independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave us this instruction that for a state to prosper economically and stand firmly on its feet, the health of its people must be safeguarded. In line with this vision, he initiated the development of Bangladesh's healthcare system, laying down a blueprint for its advancement. This vision is enshrined in the constitution of Bangladesh, emphasizing the centrality of healthcare to the well-being of its citizens. Drawing inspiration from Bangabandhu's philosophy, our esteemed leader, Sheikh Hasina, continues to steer our nation, providing constant guidance and implementing effective measures to further enhance the country's healthcare system.
Like the economy, we will also advance in research under the guidance of the Prime Minister

The Honourable Prime Minister has provided a strategic framework for medical research. Henceforth, we can develop a five-year action plan under the guidance of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC). It is imperative for doctors to show interest in medical research. Integration of research methodology into medical education curriculum is underway but requires reinforcement. Adequate evaluation mechanisms should be established for physicians committed to medical research.