DHAKA, May 19, 2026 (BSS) - Experts today said nearly 20 percent of the country's population are suffering from various thyroid gland disorders, 
while 60 percent of the affected people remain outside treatment coverage.

They revealed the information at a seminar organised at Bangladesh Medical University marking the upcoming World Thyroid Day and International Thyroid 
Awareness Week 2026 to be observed on May 25.

The seminar was organised by the Bangladesh Thyroid Society.

Speakers at the seminar said although the thyroid gland is small in size, it plays a vital role in the human body. They stressed that thyroid 
complications and diseases can be controlled through early diagnosis and proper treatment, allowing patients to lead healthy and normal lives.

They, however, warned that delayed treatment may lead to severe health complications and even death.

The speakers expressed concern that millions of people in the country are suffering from thyroid-related complications and diseases without even 
knowing about their condition.

Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University Prof Dr F M Siddiqui attended the seminar as the chief guest with President of Bangladesh Thyroid 
Society and Director of NINMAS Prof Dr A K M Fazlul Bari in the chair.

Prof Siddiqui said the thyroid is a vital organ of the human body and nuclear medicine and allied sciences are playing a major role in the diagnosis and 
treatment of thyroid diseases.

Prof Fazlul Bari said the thyroid gland is responsible for secreting important hormones T3 and T4, which help regulate metabolism, heartbeat, 
blood pressure, body weight and temperature.

"Complications in this small gland can disrupt many important bodily functions," he said.

He said children have up to a 70 percent chance of developing thyroid-related complications if their parents suffer from thyroid disorders.

"About 20 percent of Bangladesh's populations suffer from different thyroid diseases. Five out of every seven patients are women, while 60 percent of 
affected people remain outside treatment coverage. One in every 2,300 children suffers from congenital thyroid disorders," he added.

The seminar was held at the Prof Dr Kamaluddin Ahmed Auditorium of NINMAS at the university.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) of the university Prof Dr Md Mujibur Rahman Howlader said public awareness regarding thyroid diseases must be increased through educational institutions and the issue should be incorporated into primary healthcare services.

He also stressed the need for continuing research activities alongside treatment services for thyroid-related diseases.

Among others, former President of Bangladesh Thyroid Society Prof Dr Fowzia Moslem and former Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Prof Dr 
M A Karim also spoke as special guests.

Several experts, including Chairman of the Clinical Oncology Department of Bangladesh Medical University Prof Dr Syed Akram Hossain, former General 
Secretary of Bangladesh Thyroid Society Prof Dr Faridul Alam and Director of INMAS at Dhaka Medical College Prof Dr Shankar Kumar Biswas, addressed the 
scientific seminar as panel experts.

Two scientific papers titled 'Know, Test, Conquer' and 'Your Thyroid, Your Protector' were presented by Associate Professor of Endocrinology at Dhaka 
Medical College Dr M Saifuddin.

Another paper titled 'Standardized Reporting Format of Thyroid Ultrasound: An Approach for Thyroid Nodule Evaluation' was presented by Director of INMAS 
Sohrwardi and Vice-President of Bangladesh Thyroid Society Prof Dr Zeenat Jabeen.

Later, a roundtable discussion was held at the NINMAS auditorium on findings from various thyroid disease-related research works.