COMMENTS
Looking through the pages of the manuscript of "Human Health, Diseases and the Environment (dissemination of research findings) and Emerging and reemerging diseases-update" written by Dr. A. K. M. Kafiluddinn, Professor Emeritus was a pleasure.
Research knowledge on health problems is the most important tool in solving both scientific and political problems in this field. Modern science has made exceptional progress, especially in different fields of medical science including molecular biology, immunology and genetics. Only continued research findings, dissemination has made such success possible. Health care is the fundamental right of every individual and indeed a national and global responsibility. Nevertheless research and health care in Bangladesh remains much below the desired level for several reasons of which two major factors are indifference of administration and the inability of health care professional to do research. Moreover, whatever scientific research is done they lack dissemination, communication for the health care providers, policy makers. Professor Kafiluddin's book consisting of two parts comprises of about 47 chapters dealing with the research results / findings / recommendations and emerging and reemerging diseases. The researches included noise pollution, air pollution, water supply and sanitation, environmental linkage with health of the children, climate change and its effects on health and other potentials, violence, accident and injuries with special emphasis on road traffic injuries, poisoning (arsenic, lead, etc. ) vector borne disease like malaria, filaria, kala-azar, dengue and other diseases like diabetes mellitus, diarrhoea, disaster specially earthquake, tsunami.
besides the chapters about researches the book deals with epidemiology, communicable and non-communicable diseases, public health administratio, reproductive child health, viral diseases and liver diseases.
It is hoped that the book will be useful to all those concerned with research interest in different subjects as mentioned above. The book will also be useful to stimulate graduate and post graduate students, scientists, such as health and environmental activists, civil society, policy makers, decision makers, medical and public health professionals to understand the gravity of environmental disaster, health and health related problems consequently attaining sustainable national development.
I strongly recommend the book to the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a compulsory buy for all medical college and post graduate centers for the benefit of this aspiring.
The book is first of its kind and an invaluable contribution in the field of medical and public health research in Bangladesh.
Professor Kafiluddin is an indomitable figure in preventive and social medicine in Bangladesh. His ill health could not damn down his spirit. He is never tired of academic activities. In fact he can perhaps never retire and is indeed a Professor Emeritus in its true sense.
I have no hesitation in congratulating him for this wonderful task.
Dr. Nurul Islam IDA
DSC FRCP FRCPE FAS
National Professor &
Founder Vice Chancellor, USTC
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