To launch the London Bangladeshi Health Partnership (LBHP) and to mark South Asian Heritage Month, LBHP hosted an interactive session on Wednesday 16 August, 1:00pm to 2:15pm, ‘Reflecting on Bangladeshi history and recognising the contribution of the British Bangladeshi diaspora to London and the NHS.’ 

The webinar opened with a warm and passionate welcome from Khasruz Zaman from Barts Health NHS Trust (and LHBP Community Lead) in English and বাংলা (Bangla), followed by Dr Somen Banerjee Director of Public Health, London Borough of Tower Hamlets (and LBHP Member), who gave an excellent overview the prominent health issues faced by Bangladeshi Londoners and how Tower Hamlets local authority is working to support those living in the borough.

LBHP co-chairs, Riyadul Karim, Assistant Director of Primary Care (Enfield, NCL ICB) and Dr Sharmin Shajahan, Deputy Director, V4CE, spoke about how LBHP brings together an interdisciplinary group of key health partners with Bangladeshi community organisations and representatives to support the development of a strategic workplan, aiming to respond to the health priorities of Bangladeshi communities in London and mitigate against health inequity.

Her Excellency, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to UK and Ireland, Saida Muna Tasneem, provided an illuminating keynote address on Bangladeshi history, recognising the breadth and depth of British Bangladeshi diaspora contribution to London, UK, and the NHS.

Bashir Uddin, Chief Executive Officer, Bangla Housing Association shared his moving and informative personal journey as a first-generation Bangladeshi immigrant.

Dr Nikita Kanani, Director of Clinical Integration, NHS England & Deputy SRO, NHS COVID-19 Vaccination, spoke about how Measles can be a serious infection that can lead to complications, especially in young children & those with weakened immune systems and encouraged attendees to ensure they and their loved ones are up to date with MMR jabs and to catch up on any missed jabs.

Dr Leonora Weil, Director, NHS London Legacy and Health Equity Partnership (LHEP), & Public Health Consultant, UKHSA London led the discussion on health inequalities and where we go next to ensure health equity for Bangladeshi Londoners, with Minara Chowdhury, Senior Director, Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Dr Sharmin Shajahan said: “Achieving health equity is important for Black and Minoritised Ethnic (BME) communities. COVID-19 pandemic lessons have shown that the Bangladeshi community have been impacted disproportionately due to their pre-existing health inequalities. Therefore, the NHS and other statutory sectors need to engage meaningfully and work in partnership with the Bangladeshi community groups and leaders to disseminate encouraging messages promoting good health and address prevention of long-term health conditions and ensure barriers to access health services are addressed collectively.”

You can view the webinar here