One Year of Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity in Bangladesh Organized at MIS Auditorium on 20-22 December 2015

After completion of the sensitization and training programme in 7 divisions of Bangladesh, Disease Control Division of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, USA; Bangladesh Biosafety and Biosecurity Association (BBBA) and icddr,b's Biosafety Office have organised the programme on strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity in Bangladesh during 20 - 22 December 2015 at MIS Auditorium, DGHS. Professor Dr. Deen Mohammad Nurul Huq Director General of Health Services graced the occasion as the Chief Guest while Professor Dr. M. Imdadul Hoque, Dean, Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka; Dr. Kevin L Russell, CDC Country Director Bangladesh & Scientific Special Advisor to icddr,b; and Dr. Mohammed Abdus Salam, Director, Research & Administration, icddr,b, were the Special Guests. The inaugural session is chaired by Professor Dr. Abul Khair Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, Director Disease Control and Line Director, Communicable Disease Control, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Participants were present from-

• Medical Colleges/Hospitals of Dhaka division 
  1. Dhaka Medical College Dhaka
  2. Sir Salimullah Medical College
  3. Foridpur Medical College
  4. Said Nazrul Islam Medical College, Kishorgonj
  5. Shik Saira Khatun Medical College, Gopalgonj
  6. Shaid Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College,Gajipur
  7. Tangil Medical college, Tangil
  8. Jamalpur Medical college
  9. Manikgonj Medical College
  10. Mugda Medical College
  11. Armed Forces Medical College
  12. Kurmitula General Hospital
   
• Universities in Dhaka Division
  1. Dhaka University
  2. Jahangirnagar University
  3. Mawlana Bhashani Science and
  Technology University
  4. Jagannath University
   
• Research Organizations 
  1. Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI)
  2. National Institute of Biotechnology
  3. Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR)

This programme aims at summarising the one year activities on Strengthening Biosafety and Biosafety in Bangladesh. Given the need to conduct baseline assessments of microbiological and biochemical research laboratories in Bangladesh an appropriate assessment tool was developed. Using this tool, assessments were conducted in selected microbiology laboratories. Advocacy modules were developed to sensitize different levels of stakeholders at the division levels. Advocacy and sensitization programmes for all the divisions in Bangladesh were also organized. Resource persons were identified for all divisions and were given proper training further be mentored to work as an independent expert in their respective regions. We have adapted biosafety and biosecurity training materials, and are currently translating them into Bangla and plan to disseminate those broadly through the website of the Bangladesh Biosafety and Biosecurity Association. National guidelines for handling, storage, transportation, and manipulation of biohazardous materials are being drafted. At this time we are also striving to formulate a national policy on biosafety and  biosecurity. Based upon the needs identified through assessments and experience gathered from the nationwide sensitization programme immediate, short-, mid-, and long-term plans have been proposed to enhance the biosafety and biosecurity practices in Bangladesh, to control and contain spread of tropical and infectious diseases.

Venue

MIS Auditorium, DGHS

Date & Time

20th December, 2015 - 10:30AM - 03:30PM

22nd December, 2015 - 10:30AM - 03:30PM