The Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society (BMSS) organized a landmark event, ‘Walk the Talk’, on 11 July 2024 to commemorate World Population Day. With the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) Bangladesh, this initiative saw the participation of 5000 medical students from 40 medical colleges across all eight divisions of the country, making it the largest event ever organized by medical students in Bangladesh.
The theme of this year’s event was ‘Healthy Life, Healthy Family’, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being in family life. In Dhaka, the event kicked off at 3 PM at the historic Central Shaheed Minar. Over 700 medical students and guests Walked from Central Shaheed Minar to TSC in Dhaka. The event was graced by an array of esteemed guests from various fields, highlighting the significance of the occasion : Prof. Dr. Nawzia Yasmin, Pro-Vice Chancellor, State University of Bangladesh (SUB); Dr. Aftab Uddin, Chairperson, Public Health Foundation, Bangladesh; Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel, Public Health Expert Advisor, DGHS. The program began with speeches from the distinguished guests, each highlighting different aspects of public health, family planning, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Following the speeches, participants commenced the walk from Central Shaheed Minar to TSC, symbolizing unity and collective action towards a healthier future. The walk aimed to raise awareness about health and family planning issues among the general public, with participants carrying banners and placards conveying messages about healthy living.
Simultaneously, similar events took place in all eight divisions of Bangladesh, engaging local stakeholders. These events aimed to create widespread community awareness about the importance of health and family planning. Medical students from local colleges collaborated with regional health officials, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders to organize awareness programs, competition, cricket matches, health camps, and educational workshops. This grassroots effort ensured that the message of ‘Healthy Life, Healthy Family’ reached a broad audience, fostering a nationwide commitment to health and well-being.
‘Walk the Talk’ showcased the crucial role that future healthcare professionals play in advocating for and implementing health initiatives. This is the second WALK THE TALK of the country with BMSS organizing the first historic WALK THE TALK in South-East Asia in 2023. The BMSS’s successful organization of such a large-scale event with the support of WHO is a testament to the collective dedication to improving health standards in Bangladesh. As the walk concluded, the whole nation is left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to fostering healthier lives and families in Bangladesh.
