State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has urged the World Bank delegation to expedite the implementation of activities under the Improvement of Urban Public Health Preventive Services Project (IUPHPSP).

He made the call while chairing a review meeting held at the conference room of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives at 10am on Wednesday.

The overall progress of the World Bank-funded project was discussed in detail with a delegation led by Christophe Lemiere, along with officials from the Local Government Division and consultants of the Project Management Unit.

The meeting also reviewed various development initiatives currently being implemented in Bangladesh with World Bank assistance.

The IUPHPSP focuses on several key areas, including control of mosquitoes and other vector-borne diseases, management of medical waste generated outside hospitals, and addressing the public health impacts of climate change, including heatwaves, air pollution and noise pollution.

The project also aims to increase public awareness through behavioural change communication strategies and develop necessary facilities to reduce non-communicable diseases.

The project is being implemented in Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka North City Corporation, Chattogram City Corporation, and the adjacent municipalities of Savar and Tarabo.

Expressing satisfaction with the overall progress of the project, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam assured the World Bank delegation of full cooperation from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives to ensure its speedy implementation.

He also urged the delegation to take initiatives for implementing two separate new projects for medical waste management in Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporations, with particular emphasis on protecting the urban environment and public health.

Among others, Director General of the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Wing of the ministry Shibir Bichitra Barua, Local Government Division Joint Secretary Md Rabiul Islam and other senior officials attended the meeting.