List of Contents
Topic/ Item
Committee
List of Participants
Preface
5th Dhaka Declaration
Introduction
Page Number
xiii - xx
xxi -xxvii
xxviii
xxix-xxx
1
Inaugural Session
2-16
Welcome Address
Prof. Mahmudur Rahman
2-4
Co-ordinator,Dhaka Community Hospital Trust
Mr. Morten Giersing
5-7
Country Representative, UNICEF- Bangladesh
Mr. Tapan Choudhury
8-9
Managing Director, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Dr. Willard R. Chappell
10
Professor, Environmental Science, University of Colorado, USA
Dr. Moniruzzaman Miah
11-12
Chairman, TWEDS
Vote of Thanks
Prof. Quazi Quamruzzaman
13-16
Chairman, Dhaka Community Hospital Trust
Working Session 1
17-29
Arsenic Health Issues
Arsenic Exposure, Diet and Skin Lesions in Pabna, Bangladesh
Dr. David Christiani
17-18
Professor, Occupational Medicine and Epistemology
Harvard Medical School
v
Topic/ Item
Page Number
Health Impact of Arsenic Contamination in the South-East Asia
Region
Dr. Deoraj Harry Caussy
19-20
The Environmental Epidemiologist, Department of Evidence and
Information and policy, World Health Organigation, South East Asian
Region, India
Arsenic Neuropathy from Groundwater Arsenic Contamination
in India
Dr. S.C. Mukherjee
21-22
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology
Medical College, Kolkata
Susceptibility of Arsenicosis in Bangladesh and Management of
Arsenicosis Patients in DCH
Dr. Shahjahan and Dr. Ainul Islam Joarder
23-24
Consultant, Dhaka Community Hospital
Skin Manifestation & Complication in Arsenicosis
Dr. Shahidullah Shikdar
25-26
Asstt Professor, Department of Dermatology and Venerology
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka
Ground water arsenic contamination and suffering of people
in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand States of India In
Ganga Plain
Mr Sad Ahmed
27
School of Environmental Studies, Jadovpur University, Kolkata
Social and Economic Effects of Arsenic
Dr. Farida Akhter
28-29
UBING, Policy Research for Alternative Development
Working Session 2
30-44
Continuation of Arsenic Health Issues
Collaborative IRB Capacity Building
Lia Shimada
30-32
Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health
Respiratory Effect and Chronic Arsenic Exposure in Bangladesh
Dr. Ziaul Hasan Rumi
33-34
Technical Specialist, NGO Forum for DWSS
vi
Topic/ Item
Experiences of DCH Arsenic Clinic And Yahia’s War Against
Cancer
Dr. Syed Nasrullah
Page Number
35-36
Consultant, Dhaka Community Hospital
The Pattern of Clinical Manifestations and Practice of
Alternative Water Options of 50 Arsenic Affected Patients of
Sirajdikhan Upazilla, Bangladesh
Dr. Farzana Begum
37-38
Project Officer, Public Health, Dhaka Community Hospital
Interaction of Ascorbic Acid and Iron in Arsenicosis patient
Abdus Zaher
39-40
Assistant Professor, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science
Dhaka University
New Approach on Managing Non-Healing Ulcer
Mr. Abdus Salam
41-42
Consultant on Physiotherapy, Dhaka Community Hospital
Arsenic Contamination Problem In CHINA
Dr. Jheng Baosham
Professor, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry
Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Guiyang Ghizou
Province
43-44
Working Session 3
45-54
Update of Safe Water Options
The One-year Monitoring Programme Updates of Shallow Dug
Wells to Provide Arsenic-Safe Water in West Bengal, India
Fr. Xavier
45-46
Lecturer, Department of Environmental Science St. Xavier's College,
Kolkata
Dugwell And it’s Use as Sustainable Alternative to Ground
Water
Nandini Sabrina
47
Environmental Engineer, Dhaka Community Hospital
Effectiveness and Usefulness of Arsenic Removal Plants: An
Experience in West Bengal, India
M. Amir Hossain
48
School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
vii
Topic/ Item
Page Number
The Role of Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply
Project in Fighting Arsenic Crisis of Bangladesh
Mr. Khoda Bux
49-50
Project Director, BAMWSP
Safe Water Options in Bangladesh: Piped Water Supplies
Mr. Paul Edwards
Chief, Water and Environmental Sanitation
UNICEF - Bangladesh
51-52
Assessment of Options for Safe Water in Arsenic-Affected Areas
of Bangladesh
Dr. Phillip Crisp
53-54
Senior Lecturer, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial
Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Australia
Working Session 4
55-66
Water Availability and Rational Use of Available Water Sources
Water Supply in Arsenic Affected Rural Areas of Bangladesh –
The Institutional Challenge
Chowdhury Mufad Ahmed
55-57
Senior Assistant Secretary
Ministry of Environment & Forest
Arsenic Safe Water Supply: Potentials of Surface Water Sources
Firoz Ahmed
58-59
Professor of Civil/ Environmental Engineering, BUET
Aquifer Concept and Withdrawal of Safe Ground Water from
the deltaic Plain of Bangladesh
Md. Nehal Udidn
60-61
Deputy Director, Geological Survey of Bangladesh
Impact of River Link Project
Mr. A N H Akhter Hossain
62-63
Managing Director, Dhaka WASA
The Present History of Surface Water in Bengal: A Cautionary
Note
Mr. Sallimullah Khan
64-66
Consultant
viii
Topic/ Item
Special Session
Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
Page Number
67-74
67
State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, PRB
Mr. Shafiq Rehman
68
Editor, Jai Jai Din
Mr. Rashed Khan Menon
69-70
General Secretary, Workers Party of Bangladesh
Dr. Naila Zaman Khan
Professor, Child Neurology & Development
Bangladesh Institute of Child Health
71-72
Mr. Atiqur Rahman Salu
73-74
Member, International Farakka Committee
Working Session 5
75-89
Health and Environmental Hazards Encountered with
Extraction of Ground Water and Management of Water
Resources
Water Quality Characterization of The Bhairab-Rupsha River
System of Khulna City and The Management of This Water
Resource Through Environmental Biotechnology
Mr. Nando Dulal Das
75-76
Biotechnology Discipline, Khulna University
Status of Ground Water Contamination & Human Suffering in
Murshidabad, One of the Nine Arsenic Affected Districts of West
Bengal, India
Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
77-78
School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
GOB-UNICEF Arsenic mitigation program in Bangladesh
Shafiqul Islam
Team Leader, Arsenic Unit, Water and Environmental Sanitation
UNICEF-Bangladesh
Social Impact of Arsenicosis Patients in Bangladesh
Mr. Jabed Yousuf
79-80
81
Project Director, Dhaka Community Hospital
A plan of Action
Dr. Richard Wilson
82
Professor, department of Physics, Harvard University
ix
Topic/ Item
Sludge Management In Arsenic Removal Plants in Manikganj
and Faridpur
Ms Sharmeen Murshid
Page Number
83-84
Chief Executive Officer, Brotee
Safe Water for Agriculture: Treatment System Using Air and
Scrap Iron (3-Kalshi Patra) to Remove Arsenic from Tube Well
for Growing Arsenic –Sensitive Crop
Mr. A.H. Chowdhury
85-86
School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry
University of New South Wales, Australia
Increasing Trend in Hand Tube-wells and Arsenic
Concentration in Affected Areas of West Bengal. India: A
Future Danger
Mrinal Kumar Senguta
87
School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University
Community Demand Drinking Water From River Sand Filter
Mr. Ariful Islam
88-89
Assistant Program Officer, Dhaka Community Hospital
Working Session 6
90-101
Continuation Health and Environmental Hazards Encountered
with Extraction of Ground Water and Management of Water
Resources
Appropriate Technology in Action: Experiences in Arsenic
Mitigation at Micro-Level
Ali Ahmed Ziauddin
90-91
Shobuj Shena Centre, Sibaloy, PRISM, Bangladesh
Arsenic In Drinking Water and Recent Knowledge on food chain
Contamination
Prof. Imamul Huq
92-93
Department of Soil, Water and Environment,University of Dhaka
The WHO Water Safety Framework Approach to Arsenic
Mitigation
Dr. Guy Howard
94-95
International Specialist, Arsenic Policy Support Unit (APSU)
x
Topic/ Item
Arsenic Mitigation at The Village Level: The Araihazar
Experiences and a Draft Framework for a National Strategy
Dr. Kazi Matin Ahmed
Page Number
96-98
Department of Geology,University of Dhaka
Dr. Dipanker Chakraborti
99-100
Director & Head
School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University
Prof. Quazi Quamruzzaman
Chairman
Dhaka Community Hospital Trust
101
Closing Session
102-119
Dr. Ahmed Kamal
102
Professor, Department of History, University of Dhaka
Prof. Ainun Nishat
103-105
Country Representative, IUCN
Mr. Badiur Rahman
106-107
Member, Planning Commission
Mr. S.K.M. Abdullah
108
Member, National Expert Committee
Dr. Richard Wilson
109
Professor, Department of Physics, University of Harvard
Mr. Mahfuz Anam
110
Editor, The Daily Star
Ms Khushi Kabir
111-112
Chief Executive Officer, Nijera Kori
Mr. Morten Giersing
113
Country Representative, UNICEF
Christine Wallich
114
Country Director, World Bank- Bangladesh
Mr. Atiqur Rahman Salu
115-116
Representative, International Farraka Committee
xi
Topic/ Item
Ms Taleya Rehman
Page Number
117
Chief Executive Officer, Democracy Watch
Dr. David Christiani
118
Professor, Occupational Medicine and Epistemology
Harvard Medical School
Vote of Thanks
Prof. Quazi Quamruzzaman
119
Chairman, Dhaka Community Hospital
xii
NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITEE (CONFERENCE)
Dr. A. M. Shawkat Ali
Dr. Abdur Rahman Khan
Dr. Ainun Nishat
Mr. Amanullah Kabir
Mr. Ashok Madhab Roy
FAO
DGHS
Country Representative, The World conversation
Union (IUCN), Dhaka
Amar Desh
Ministry of LGED & C
Dr. Babar N. Kabir
Programme Coordinator, SEMP
Mr. Borhan Ahmed
Mr. Choudhury Mufad Ahmed
Janakantha
Ministry of Environment & Forest
GOB, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka
Ms. Christine Wallich
World Bank
Dr. Feroze Ahmed
Mr. Han Heijnen
Professor, CE, BUET
WHO
Ms. Janet Donnelly
AusAID
Mr. K.M. Minnatullah
World Bank
Dr. Kayode Oyegbit
UNICEF
Dr. M. Moniruzzaman Miah
TWEDS
Mr. Mahbub Jamil
SINGER
Mr. Mahfuz Anam
The Daily Star
Dr. Maidul Islam
Mr. Matiur Rahman
BSNMU
The Protham Alo
Mr. Nurul Kabir
The Weekly Holiday
Mr. Paul Edward
UNICEF
Prof. Quazi Quamruzzaman
Chairman, DCH
Mr. S.K.M. Abdullah
National Expert Committee
Mr. Shafiqul Islam
UNICEF
Mr. Shajahan Sarder
Reports Unity, Dhaka
Ms. Sharmin Morshed
BROTEE
Ms. Taleya Rehman
Democracy Watch
Mr. Tapan Choudhury
SQUARE
xiii
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CONFERENCE)
Dr. Alan H. Smith
USA
Dr. Alison Baker
AUSTRALIA
Dr. D.N. Guha Mazumder
INDIA
Dr. David Christiani
USA
Dr. Deoraj Harry Caussy
INDIA
Dr. Gary Owens
AUSTRALIA
Dr. K.C. Saha
INDIA
Ms. Kristen Collins
AUSTRALIA
Dr. Peter Nadebaum
AUSTRALIA
Mr. Peter Robson
AUSTRALIA
Dr. Phillip Crisp
AUSTRALIA
Dr. Ravi Naidu
AUSTRALIA
Dr. Richard Wilson
USA
Dr. S.C. Mukherjee
INDIA
Dr. Shyamapada Pati
INDIA
Dr. Tony Fletcher
UK
Dr. Willard Chappel
USA
Dr. Y. Munekage
JAPAN
xiv
CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION
Conference Convener
Dr. Mahmuder Rahman
Dr. Dipankar Chakraborti
Organizing Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Dr. Quazi Quamruzzaman
Mr. Wakar Hossain
Ms. Alison Quazi
Mr. Quazi Habibur Rahman
Mr. Jalaluddin Khandaker
Mr. Golam Mohiuddin
Mr. Abdur Rahman
Dr. Capt. (Retd) Md Shahajahan
Dr. Ainul Islam Joardar
Dr. Abdus Salam
Dr. Sayed Nasrullah
Dr. Farzana Begum
Ms. Nandini Sabrina
Dr. Fazle Rabbi
Dr. Fazana Aziz
Dr. Probir Banerjee
Mr. Sukumer Chakraborti
Mr. Jabed Yousuf
Mr. Golam Mostofa
Ms. Hasmat Ara Parul
Mr. Altab Elahi Sohel
Mr. S. M. Basit
Mr. Ariful Islam
Mr. Selim Reza
Mr. Ziaul Islam
Ms. Marzina Begum
Ms. Tithika Chakraborti
Mr. Nazrul Islam
Ms. Jannat Ara Irine
Mr. Mihir Banerjee
Mr. Mahbub Morshed
Ms. Sabitri Roy
Ms. Afroza Parvin
Ms. Afroza Begum
Mr. Kawser Alam Manik
Mr. Anamul Kabir
Ms. Shamima Alam Ranu
Mr. Sakila Afroz
Mr. S.M.A. Samih Hasnat
Mr. Bivash Chandra Barmon
Mr. Shafiqul Islam
Mr. Salim
Mr. Alam
Mr. Wayazed
xv
Reception Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Mamber
Dr. Quazi Quamruzzaman
Mr. Saidur Rahman
Dr. Mahmuder Rahman
Mr. Quazi Habibur Rahman
Dr. Sabera Rahman
Mr. Jalal uddin Khandaker
Mr. Golam Mohiuddin
Dr. Capt. ( Retd) Md Shahjahan
Dr. Ainul Islam Joardar
Dr. Abdus Salam
Mr. Jabed Yousuf
Mr. Golam Mostofa
Finance Sub – Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Dr. Quazi Quamruzzaman
Mr. Sukumar Chakraborti
Mr. Jabed Yousuf
Ms. Jannat Ara Irine
Mr. Nazrul Islam
Mr. Jakir Hossain
Press and Publication Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Mr. Quazi Habibur Rahman
Dr. Farzana Begum
Mr. Mihir Banerjee
Ms. Nandini Sabrina
Mr. Jabed Yousuf
Mr. Golam Mostofa
Mr. Shafiqul Islam
Mr. Mahboob Morshed
Mr. Aqlasul Momanin
Mr. Alam
Accommodation Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Mr. Quazi Habibur Rahman
Mr. Ziaul Islam
Mr. Shafiqul Islam
Mr. Aqlasul Momanin
Mr. Anamul Kabir
Ms. Morzina Begum
Ms. Sabitri Roy
xvi
Food and Catering Sub –committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Mr. Jalal Uddin Khandaker
Mr. Wakar Hossain
Dr. Abdus Salam
Mr. Nazrul Islam
Mr. Kawsar Alam
Ms. Nighat Khanam
Mr. Ali Hossain
Mr. Rahman
Mr. Alam
Publicity and Media Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Mr. Quazi Habibur Rahman
Mr. Ziaul Islam
Mr. Mihir Banerjee
Mr. Golam Mostofa
Mr. Ariful Islam
Mr. Shofiqul Islam,
Mr. Aqlasul Momanin
Mr. Anamul Kabir Khan
Transport Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Mr. Jalal Uddin Khandakar
Mr. Wakar Hossain
Mr. Enamul Kabir Khan
Mr. Abdul Mannan
Mr. Zamal
Mr. Mosharaf Hossain
Mr. Abdul Hamid
Mr. Ali Hossain
International Relations Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Ms. Alison Quazi
Dr. Farzana Begum
Mr. Jabed Yousuf
Mr. Golam Mostofa
Ms. Hasmat Ara Parul
Ms. Afroza Pervin
Md. Ziaul Islam
Ms. Afroja Khatun
Ms. Morzina Begum
Scientific Session Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Dr. Mahmuder Rahman
Ms. Alison Quazi
Dr. Farzana Begum
Ms. Nandini Sabrina
Mr. Mahboob Morshed
Mr. Jabed Yousuf
xvii
Field Visit Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Dr. Quazi Quamruzzaman
Md. Jabed Yousuf
Md. Altab Elahi
Md. Golam Mostofa
Md. Ariful Islam
Dr. Farzana Begum
Ms. Nandini Sabrina
Mr. Shafiqul Islam Shohag
Dr. Selim Morshed
Auditorium & Venue Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Md. Zalal Uddin Khandokar
Dr. Abdus Salam
Ms. Morzina Begum
Mr. Mahboob Morshed
Md. Wakar Hossain
Ms. Sabitri Roy
Mr. Kabir Hossain
Ms. Tithika Chakrabarti
Mr. Salim
Mr. Alam
Registration Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Ms. Alison Quazi
Ms. Marzina Begum
Ms. Sabitri Roy
Ms. Hasmat Ara Parul
Ms. Afroja Parvin
Ms. Jannat Ara Irin
Patient Mobilization Sub-Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Dr. Nasrullah
Dr. Farzana Begum
Mr. Altab Elahi
Mr. Shafiqul Islam
Ms. Tanjila Khatun
Ms. Rashida Akter
Ms. Masuma Akter
xviii
Volunteers Sub- Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Dr. Abdus Salam
Md. Khandakar Jalal Uddin
Ms. Mujrat Tanjib Laboni
Ms. Shama Rahman
Dr. Farzana Begum
Ms. Nandini Sabrina
Dr. Fazle Rabbi
Dr. Farzana Aziz
Medical Sub- Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Dr. Ainul Islam Joorder
Dr. Fazle Rabbi
Dr. Salina Sultana
Dr. Probir Banerjee
Ms. Kajal Kater
Ms. Rabeya Khatun
Ms. Tapoti
Exhibition Sub- Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Ms. Sabitri Roy
Mr. Mahboob Morshed
Ms. Marzina Begum
Ms. Tanjila Khatun
Ms. Anna Parvin
Mr. Sudipta Bayddha
Ms. Shakila Afroj
Ms. S.M.A. Shami Hasnat
Photography Sub- Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Ms. Marzina Begum
Mr. Ariful Islam
Mr. Wakar Hossain
Ms. Shova Akter
Ms. Anjuman Ara
Ms. Bina Rani Mollik
Ms. Shakila Afroj
Ms. S.M.A. Shami Hasnat
Mr. Alam
xix
Audiovisual Sub- Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Dr. Abdus Salam
Mr. Wakar Hossain
Ms. Shahina Sultana
Ms. Kajal Akter
Ms. Anjuman
Ms. Anjuman Ara Begum
Social Evening Sub- Committee
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Mr. Quazi Habibur Rahman
Mr. Kawsar Alam
Mr. Wakar Hossain
Md. Golam Mostofa
Dr. Farzana Begum
Md. Jabed Yousuf
Mr. Mihir Banerjee
Mr. Bivash Chandra Barmon
Mr. Ziaul Islam
Mr. Altab Elahi
Mr. Kabir Hossain
Conference Secretariat
Chairperson
Member Secretary
Member
Ms. Alison Quazi
Dr. Farzana Begum
Mr. Mahboob Morshed
Mr. Mihir Banerjee
Ms. Nandini Sabrina
Dr. Farjana Aziz
Dr. Fazle Rabbi
xx
List of Participants
National
A B M Anwarul Haque
Duncan Brothers
Ali Ahmed Ziauddin
Shobuj Shena Centre, Sibaloy
PRISM, Bangladesh
A F M Anisur Rahman
Government of Bangladesh
Aminul Islam
Duncan Brothers
A H M Abul Quashem
Government of Bangladesh
Aminur Rahman Shah
DG Health
A N H Akhter Hossain
Managing Director, Dhaka WASA
Babar N Kabir
SEMP-UNDP
A Z M Maidul Islam
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical
University
Mr. Badiur Rahman
Member, Planning Commission
Abdul Motin Khan
Pabna Community Clinic, Pabna
Choudhury Mufad Ahmed
Senior Assistant Secretary
Ministry of Forest & Environment
Abdul Wadud Khan
Christine Wallich
Country Director for Bangladesh
The World Bank
NIPSOM
Abdur Rahman Khan
MOHFW
Fahmida Shabnam
Program Officer, AusAID, Dhaka
Abdus Jaher
Assistant Professor, Institute of
Nutrition and Food Science
Dhaka University
Farhad Hossain
Pabna Community Clinic, Pabna
Abu Shahajalal Azad
Dr. Farida Akhter
UBING, Policy Research for
Alternative Development
UNICEF
Dr. Ahmed Kamal
Professor, Department of History
University of Dhaka
Faridunnin Akhter Khan
Prof. Ainun Nishat
Country Representative, IUCN
Farid Uddin Mia
BAMWSP
SDF
xxi
Professor Firoz Ahmed
Professor of Civil/ Environmental
Engineering, BUET
Dr. Kazi Matin Ahmed
Department of Geology
University of Dhaka
G N M Shawkat Hayat Khan
Dhaka WASA
Khoda Bux
Project Director, BAMWSP
Dr. Guy Howard
International Specialist, Arsenic Policy
Support Unit (APSU)
Ms Khushi Kabir
Chief Executive Officer, Nijera Kori
Haroon Ur Rashid
Asian Development Bank
Korshed Alam
Hossain Zillur Rahman
M. Nuruzzaman
PPRC
APSU
Ihteshamul Huq
Mahbub Jamil
Chairman & Managing Director
Singer- Bangladesh
DPHE
DPHE
Prof. Imamul Huq
Department of Soil, Water and
Environment, University of Dhaka
Mr. Mahfuz Anam
Editor, The Daily Star
Jahangir Hossain
CARE Bangladesh
Makammel Hasan
Jalal Ahmed Chowdhury
Zia International Airport
Dr. Moniruzzaman Miah
Chairman, TWEDS
Janet Donnelly
First Secretary, Australian High
Commission, Dhaka
Mashuda Khatun Shefali
Jiptha Bairagi
Coordinator, Arsenic DASCOH
Md. Bazlur Rahman
Dhaka WASA
Kazi Ali Azam
Dhaka WASA
Md. Harunar Rashid
PSTC
xxii
Md. Moniruzzaman Howlader
Karsha Community Clinic, Madaripur
Md. Siddiqur Rahman
Alt Medicine
Md. Monjur Kader
Brotee
Mirazul Hossain Tara
Pabna Community Clinic
Md. Mustakim Sabuj
Pabna Community Clinic
Mohammad Humayun Kabir
Zia International Airport
Md.Nehal Udidn
Deputy Director
Geological Survey of Bangladesh
Monirul I. Khan
Professor
Department of Sociology
University of Dhaka
Md. Owaliur Rahman
Ranaping Community Clinic, Sylhet
Mr. Morten Giersing
Country Representative, UNICEF
Md. Ruhul Amin
DIG, Bangladesh Railway
Mostafijur Rahman
Md. Saiful Islam
Dr. Naila Zaman Khan
Professor, Child Neurology &
Development
Bangladesh Institute of Child Health
RRD
Md. Salim
CARE-Bangladesh
Mr. Nando Dulal Das
Biotechnology Discipline
Khulna University
Md. Sekendar Ali
Pabna Community Clinic
Nasima Akhter
NGO Forum
Md. Seraj Uddin
Dhaka WASA
Nayeem Chowdhury
Dr. Md. Shahidullah Shikdar
Asstt Professor, Department of
Dermatology and Venerology
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical
University, Dhaka
Nishith Ranjan Bindu
Pabna Community Clinic
Md. Abdur Rahman Khan
DG Health
Nurul Islam Khan
BAMWSP
xxiii
Nurul Kabir
The Weekly Holiday
Sanat K. Bhowmik
COAST Trust
Paban Ritcil
HEED Bangladesh
Sayed Tanveer Hussain
Secretary, Ministry of Forest and
Environment
Mr. Paul Edwards
Team Leader, Water and Sanitation
Program, UNICEF
Selina Zaman
Duncan Brothers
Quamrunnahar
Mr. Shafiq Rehman
Editor, Jai Jai Din
Ramdulal Bhowmik
Pabna Community Clinic
Mr. Shafiqul Islam
Team Leader, Arsenic Unit, UNICEF
Mr. Rashed Khan Menon
General Secretary, Workers Party of
Bangladesh
Shafiul Azam
World Bank
Rejaul Karim
COAST
Shahidul Huq
Bhanga THC
Rifat S. Khan
Program Officer, AusAID, Dhaka
Shahnewaz A. Khan
Concern
S.K.M. Abdullah
National Expert Committee
Ms Sharmeen Murshid
Chief Executive Officer, Brotee
Dr. Salek Ahmed
Sharmina Banu
UBINIG
Salimullah Khan
Consultant
Siddiqur Rahman
Begum Setara
Samsunnahar
Shaptadinga
Siddiqur Rahman
DG Health
Samsur Rahman Shimul Biswas
Chairman, BIWTC
Sylvia Islam
CIDA
xxiv
T. Otsuko
JICA
Tapon Kumar Nath
Tahmida Banu
Tarik Hasan Protik
Pabna Community Clinic
Ms Taleya Rehman
Chief Executive Officer
Democracy Watch
Dr. Ziaul Hasan Rumi
Technical Specialist
NGO Forum for DWSS
Mr. Tapan Choudhury
Managing Director
Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Zakir Hossain
DG Health
xxv
List of Participants
International
01 Mr. A.H. Chowdhury
09 Kristen Collins
Project Manager – Social Infrastructure
International Development
GHD Pty Ltd, Level 12, 390, St Kilda Road,
Melbourne Vic 3004, Australia
School of Chemical Engineering and
Industrial Chemistry
University of New South Wales, Australia
02 Dr. Alan H. Smith
10 Lia Shimada
Prof. of Epidemiology, School of Public
Health, Eart Warren Hall University of
California, Berkley California 94720 USA
03 Dr. Alison Baker
Department of Environmental Health, Harvard
School of Public Health
Harvard University, USA
11 Michael O’Rourke
Senior Project Manager
GHD Pty Limited, 380 Lonsdale Street,
Melbourne Vic3000, DX 611 Melbourne
Australia
04 Prof. David Christiani
Health Management, Planning &
Development Consultant
46, Knowles Avenue, North Bondi
NSW 2026, Australia
12 Md. Amir Hossain
Prof of Occupational Medicine and
Epidemiology
Harvard School of Public Health,
Boston, MA 02115,USA
05 David Garman
School of Environmental Studies
Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
13 Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
Executive Director, CRC for Waste
Management & Pollution Control Ltd
Valentine Annexe (H22), Gate 11, Botany
Street, UNSW Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
06 Dr. Deoraj Harry Caussy
School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur
University, Kolkata, India
14 Mrinal Kumar Senguta
Environmental Epidemiologist, Department
of Evidence for Information and Policy,
World Health Organization, South East Asia
Region, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi,
India.
07 Dr. Dipanker Chakraborti
School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur
University, Kolkata, India
15 Dr. Peter Nadebaum
Senior Principal –Environment
GHD Pty Ltd, 380 Lonsdale Street Melbourne
Vic3000 DX 611
Melbourne Australia
Director, School of Environmental Studies
Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
08 Dr. Jheng Baosham
Professor, State Key Laboratory of
Environmental Geochemistry
Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy
of Science, Guiyang Ghizou Province, China
16
Phillip Crisp
Senior Lecturer
School of Chemical Engineering and
Industrial Chemistry, University of New
South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
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List of Participants
International
17 Rhett Butler
Chairman, Sky Juice, Sky Juice Foundation
3 Bardwell Road, Mosman NSW 2088
18 Prof. Richard Wilson
Mallinckrodt Research Professor of Physics
Cambridge, MA 021238
Harvard University, USA
19 Mr. Sad Ahmed
School of Environmental Studies, Jadovpur
University, Kolkata, India
20 Dr. S.C. Mukherjee
Associate Prof. Dept. of Neurology, Medical
College, Kolkata, India
21 Prof. Willard R. Chappell
Chairman Arsenic Groundwater Committee,
Campus Box 136, University of Colorado at
Denver, PO. Box 173364, Denver, Colorado
80217-3364, USA
22 Xavier Savarimuti
Lecturer, Department of Environmental
Science
St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, India
23 Xue Wang
Guiyang Ghizou Province, China
24 Yukihiro Munekage
Kochi University, Japan
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Preface
In recent years Arsenic problem has surfaced as a mega health and environment
problem for Bangladesh and in other South and South Asia countries. To understand various
aspects of this problem and to plan and implement mitigation programs will obviously need
uniform and coordinated activity of all national and international agencies including UN,
bodies.
This conference helped them to come together and able to share their experiences and help to
formulate ideas, which helps national and regional policy to formulate Arsenic Mitigation
programmes.
One of DCH’s major public health programme is arsenic mitigation and Arsenicosis case
management. In its course of action DCH have developed partnership with UNICEF, WHO &
UNDP. Different agencies of the Government of Bangladesh, engaged us on various mitigation
activities in Health and Environment. Many donor agencies like World Bank, AusAid, DFID,
and Canadian CIDA, also working with us.
School of Environmental Studies (SOES) of Jadavpur University and School of Public Health,
Harvard University of USA are jointly working with us in various research activities.
This conference is the fifth one staged jointly by DCH and SOES and was actively supported
by UNICEF. We are also acknowledging the kind support provided by the various government
agencies of Bangladesh. The private organisations like Square Bangladesh, Duncan Brothers
Bangladesh, and Singer Bangladesh also helped us all the way in organising the conference.
Media, both print and electronic, helped and supported us from the early stage of our struggle
against Arsenic contamination.
We hope Proceeding of this 5th International conference on Arsenic will help the policy
planners and researchers and other agencies to implement programmes. We sincerely thank
UNICEF, Square Pharmaceuticals, Duncan Brothers, DPHE and the members of the organising
committee for their kind support and help.
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5th International Conference on Arsenic
Developing Country’s Perspective on Health, Water and Environmental Issues
Held in Dhaka on February 15th, 16th & 17th, 2004
Henceforth to be called
The 5th Dhaka Declaration
Date: 17.02.04
We, the Participants of the 5th International Arsenic Conference, note that while certain
achievements been reached so far regarding the supply of arsenic free safe water to the people
of Bangladesh, concrete and long-lasting efforts remain to be implemented. We were, however,
pleased to note that a national policy and guidelines is under the process of approval by the
Government of Bangladesh regarding the supply of safe drinking water to the arsenic affected
population. We understand that major initiatives have started. but considering the severity and
magnitude of this human tragedy, the efforts are still too slow. As such. We continue to urge
upon all concerned, irrespective of their nationality or affiliation, to come forth to help the
people of Bangladesh on an emergency basis.
We have heard and noted the progress achieved in mitigating the arsenic crisis from the 1st
International Conference in 1998 till the 4th Conference in 2002. While we appreciate that
efforts are more significant than in the previous years, we cannot but stress the need for placing
greater emphasis on patient care and development of an approved protocol for the treatment of
arsenic patients. In this strategy, the interests of the people of Bangladesh should be given
utmost priority.
More specifically, we the Participants do hereby declare that:
In matters relating to patient management, It is important to develop both an acceptable and
affordable form of treatment, keeping in mind that many of the patients will not be able to
afford costlier forms of management.
In matters relating to water resource management, all stakeholders are earnestly requested
to adhere to the National Arsenic Mitigation Policy and the Implementation Plan under the
process of approval by the Government of Bangladesh. As mentioned in the Policy, priority
must be given to exploiting perennial sources of surface water, which is found in abundance in
Bangladesh. Bangladesh being endowed with abundant surface water and rain water, all
agencies must consider the use of surface and rain water before any suggestion of ground water
withdrawal is made, except in unavoidable circumstances
or in known safe areas.
Before recommending extraction of ground water from deeper aquifers, the safety of the deep
aquifers must be ensured and adequate understanding of the geological parameters developed to
ensure that these aquifers would not become contaminated in the future.
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3rd party audit and analysis of all the deep tube-well both Government and Non-Government
installed from 1997 onward should be undertaken immediately to monitor the quality. This has
become very urgent from the experience of the Sharsha Upazila
More understanding is required to quantify the impact of arsenic contaminated irrigation water
on the food chain and food production.
We, the Participants of this Conference, Recommend that:
All activities related to arsenic mitigation or research in Bangladesh should be significantly
increased and expedited after scientific evaluation.
All mitigation activities must be undertaken to ensure the full participation of local
communities and local government institutions before, during and after implementation to
ensure ultimate ownership. We believe that without the involvement of communities and local
government institutions all efforts will be unsustainable. Transparency and mutual respect
should the basis for all future work.
All future mitigation activities should involve the private sector, forging a partnership and
coordination between the public and private institutions.
Tests so far indicate that none of arsenic removal technologies works in all the hydrological
regions. It is strongly recommended that more scientific scrutiny and public discussion should
be held before validating any of the technologies for the purpose of marketing and large-scale
use.
In conclusion, we re-iterate the seriousness of the situation in Bangladesh and urge all
concerned to actively assist the people of Bangladesh in overcoming this crisis.
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