A dog bite. A forgotten antibiotic course. A polluted pond. These may seem like unrelated, everyday occurrences but they are all threads of the same web. And the best time to help someone see that web clearly is when they are still young enough to act on it for a lifetime.

IVSA PSTU Bangladesh, a local chapter of the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA), organized a two-day school awareness programme in observance of World Veterinary Day 2026. The initiative aimed to educate young students about rabies prevention, personal hygiene, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the One Health concept, encouraging responsible health practices from an early age.

That belief drove IVSA PSTU Bangladesh to mark World Veterinary Day 2026 celebrated globally on April 25 with something more than a ceremony. Over two days, across two schools, veterinary students took their knowledge out of the classroom and into the hands of the next generation.

Day 1 | April 26, 2026

89 No. Khanpura Government Primary School: Rabies Prevention & Hand Hygiene Awareness

The first session opened at 89 No. Khanpura Government Primary School, where young students gathered curious, energetic, and completely unaware of what they were about to learn.

Rabies: The Silent Danger

Md. Simoon Hasan, President of IVSA PSTU Bangladesh, opened the session with a topic that strikes fear into every parent across Bangladesh rabies. A single bite from a dog or cat can set off a chain of events that, once started, cannot be stopped. What most children do not know is this by the time symptoms appear, it is already too late. He explained it plainly without sugarcoating, stating:

“Rabies is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms appear, but it is entirely preventable through timely wound washing for at least 15 minutes, prompt medical attention, and completion of the full vaccination course. No shortcuts and no exceptions.”

Members of the IVSA PSTU Bangladesh team outside 89 No. Khanpura Government Primary School, ready to deliver lifesaving lessons on rabies and hand hygiene | April 26, 2026

Handwashing: A Habit That Saves Lives

Md. Siratunnoby, Exchange Officer of IVSA PSTU Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of proper hand hygiene, stating:

“Our hands come into contact with countless invisible germs throughout the day. If we do not wash them properly, these germs can easily enter our bodies through food and daily activities.

Keeping our hands clean and maintaining short, clean fingernails are simple but effective ways to protect ourselves from many diseases.”

The session then shifted to something deceptively simple, handwashing. Fariha Tahsin demonstrated the correct techniques step by step: wet your hands first, turn off the tap to save water, apply soap, scrub your palms, clean the sides, clean under your nails, and wash for at least 20 seconds.

The moment that stood out came shortly after. President Simoon Hasan turned to the children and asked a simple question “From today, who promises to wash their hands properly?”

Every hand in the room went up.

Two students ‘Hasin’ and ‘Jinia’ went a step further, correctly answering questions in front of their peers, sparking a wave of enthusiasm across the room.

The Teachers Who Made It Possible

The programme could not have run as smoothly without the wholehearted support of the school’s teachers. Headteacher Ismatyara Kona welcomed the initiative from the very beginning, firmly believing that awareness programmes like this plant seeds of responsibility that children carry into adulthood. Assistant Teacher Sabrina Hossain remained actively engaged throughout, helping bridge communication between the IVSA team and the students. Headteacher Ismatyara Kona remarked:

“Awareness programmes like this help children develop responsible health practices from an early age and contribute to building a healthier future generation.”

Small gifts were distributed to the children at the end of the session, a small gesture that turned a learning experience into a memory.

Day 2 | April 27, 2026

Rashed Khan Menon Model School & College: Antimicrobial Resistance & One Health Awareness

The second day brought a different setting older students, a larger institution, and deeper topics. At Rashed Khan Menon Model School & College, the IVSA team stepped into a room of college and high school students, ready to take the conversation further.

Part of the IVSA PSTU Bangladesh team at Rashed Khan Menon Model School & College, after a session on AMR and One Health awareness | April 27, 2026

Antimicrobial Resistance: The Crisis We Are Creating

Md. Simoon Hasan returned to lead the session, this time on a topic that connects directly to both veterinary medicine and public health antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

He broke it down in terms the students could immediately relate to. Most of us have done it, felt better on day four of a seven-day antibiotic course and quietly stopped taking the rest. It feels harmless. But what actually happens is that the surviving bacteria learn to resist that antibiotic, making it ineffective in the future for us, for our families, and for our animals. He delivered a clear message to the students:

“Antibiotics should never be used without proper medical or veterinary guidance. Completing the prescribed course and following the correct dosage are essential steps in preventing antimicrobial resistance and protecting both human and animal health.”

By the end of his session, every student in the room had made a commitment to consult a doctor for themselves, and a veterinarian for their pets, before using any antibiotic. And to always finish the courses.

One Health: Why Everything Is Connected

Exchange Officer Md. Siratunnoby introduced students to the One Health framework the idea that human health, animal health, and environmental health are not three separate concerns, but one interconnected system. Explaining the concept, he stated:

“Human health, animal health, and environmental health are deeply interconnected. When water becomes polluted, waterborne diseases increase. When air quality deteriorates, respiratory illnesses become more common. Likewise, animals living in contaminated environments can develop diseases that may eventually affect humans. The environment does not stop at our doorstep, and neither do the health challenges it creates. Protecting our environment ultimately means protecting ourselves and the animals around us.”

The students engaged deeply, asking questions and connecting the dots between what they had just heard about AMR and the broader One Health picture.

Quiz Competition and Prize Giving

The session closed with an exciting quiz competition, where students put their newly gained knowledge to the test. The enthusiasm in the room was remarkable hands shot up, answers flew, and the energy was anything but that of a typical school assembly.

Winners were recognized in a prize giving ceremony, sending every participant home not just informed, but motivated.

Principal Jafar Sikdar, who had been warmly supportive from the very beginning, closed the event by thanking the students for their sustained attention and participation. He also expressed his commitment to supporting similar educational initiatives in the future, stating:

“We are grateful to IVSA PSTU Bangladesh for bringing this important awareness programme to our students. Such initiatives play a vital role in shaping informed and responsible citizens, and we look forward to hosting more programmes like this in the future.”

More Than Two Days

World Veterinary Day is celebrated once a year. But the lessons learned in those two classrooms about rabies, handwashing, antibiotic responsibility, and the health of our shared environment are lessons for a lifetime.

IVSA PSTU Bangladesh believes that the future of One Health does not begin in policy rooms or research labs. It begins in schools, with children who raise their hands and promise to do better.

On April 26 and 27, 2026, that future got a little closer.

Acknowledgement

IVSA PSTU Bangladesh extends sincere gratitude to the teachers and administration of 89 No. Khanpura Government Primary School and Rashed Khan Menon Model School & College for their wholehearted cooperation, hospitality, and support in making this awareness programme successful.

The organization also expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the board members of IVSA PSTU Bangladesh who contributed to information collection, coordination, and documentation of the programme. Their dedication and support played an important role in ensuring the successful implementation and reporting of this initiative.

Press by:

Reda Fatema Moitree

Co-Chair, Standing Committee on One Health

IVSA PSTU Bangladesh

Published by: Abu Sayed

Contact for the Press: mail@ohyab.org