50 million people are suffering from thyroid problems.

Bangla Press Desk: Approximately 50 million people in the country are suffering from thyroid-related issues. Among affected women, 60 percent are unaware that they have a thyroid problem. Additionally, one in every 2,300 children is born with a thyroid disorder. Given this situation, experts have emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to ensure the prevention, early detection, and modern treatment of thyroid diseases.
These issues were highlighted on Friday during the inaugural ceremony of the 8th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Bangladesh Thyroid Society (BTS), held at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital.
Nurul Islam Moni, Chief Whip of the National Parliament, inaugurated the conference. Speaking at the event—organized under the theme "Education, Innovation, and Effective Initiatives in Thyroid Care"—he stated that the government is committed to ensuring quality and modern healthcare. He noted that a concerted effort involving government institutions, physicians, researchers, and all relevant stakeholders is essential to prevent non-communicable diseases (including thyroid disorders), raise public awareness, and ensure early diagnosis and treatment. He also commended the role played by the Thyroid Society in this regard.
The event was presided over by Professor Dr. AKM Fazlul Bari, President of the BTS and Director of the National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS). Special guests included Professor Dr. Harun Al Rashid, President of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh; Professor Dr. MA Karim, Chief Advisor of the BTS; and Professor Dr. AK Azad Khan, President of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh. Professor Dr. Nasrin Sultana, Secretary General of the BTS, delivered the welcome address.
During the day-long scientific program, experts from home and abroad discussed various topics across three sessions, including modern methods for diagnosing and treating thyroid diseases, surgery for thyroid cancer, thyroid issues during pregnancy, iodine deficiency, thyroid-related eye diseases, and aspects of patient monitoring. Speakers at the event included Professor Dr. Zeenat Jabeen, Director of the Suhrawardy Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences; Professor Dr. Firoza Begum, President of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh; and Dr. Shahjada Selim, Associate Professor of Endocrinology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, among others.
Dr. AKM Fazlul Bari stated that approximately 50 million people in Bangladesh suffer from thyroid-related problems. Women account for 50 percent of those affected, yet 60 percent of these women are unaware of their condition. Additionally, 2 percent of the population suffers from thyroid cancer. According to experts, awareness and timely diagnosis are crucial in managing thyroid diseases. Often, treatment is delayed because the condition remains undetected despite the presence of symptoms. Therefore, alongside raising public awareness, it is essential to make modern diagnostic and treatment services easily accessible. During the conference's 'free paper' and poster sessions, 12 oral presentations and 10 poster presentations were delivered. Discussions covered topics such as undiagnosed thyroid disease, thyroid autoimmunity, side effects of radioiodine therapy, genetic analysis, and various cases of rare thyroid disorders. The best presenters were awarded prizes based on the judges' evaluations.
BP/TD