Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary

Amid public anger over child deaths, key health adviser to interim govt says outbreaks usually result from several long-term factors and that vaccine procurement approvals were given on time

The interim government’s ineptitude and apathy that eventually led to a measles outbreak has so far left 294 children dead, say experts and officials.

Novo Nordisk’s decision to localise production was driven by both market need and manufacturing potential

Barguna, a southern coastal district with a population of about 10 lakh, turned into a dengue hotspot last year, recording 15 deaths and 9,534 cases -- the highest for any single district except those at divisional headquarters.

Measles cases and deaths continue to rise with the situation unlikely to improve much until the second week of May despite the ongoing vaccination campaign, experts say.

The BNP government amended at least two laws in ways that could further promote the production and use of tobacco products despite pledging tobacco control in its election manifesto, said anti-tobacco campaigners.

The issue of malaria deaths came into focus following the death of Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman from malaria on Friday, ahead of World Malaria Day on April 25.

Established in 2016, Rajshahi Medical University (RMU) has yet to develop the capacity to offer postgraduate courses -- the core function of a medical university.

Parvin Begum came to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS) along with one of her ailing relatives who needed treatment there. However, she suddenly felt dizzy, collapsed and became critically ill.

Two crucial national campaigns -- distribution of deworming tablets and Vitamin A Plus capsules -- have remained suspended for over a year, a disruption experts say may have worsened the measles outbreak.

Sonia Akhter was trying to cool down her nine-month-old daughter, Tasnia, who seemed restless with measles and fever at the dedicated measles ward of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in the capital.

Bangladesh was successful in controlling rubella in 2018 and was supposed to eliminate measles and rubella from the country this year, but now it is struggling to deal with a measles outbreak.

The government yesterday reported 94 suspected measles deaths, mostly among children, over the past 19 days, alongside 5,792 suspected cases nationwide, suggesting the outbreak is far more severe than earlier thought.

At least 56 of the 64 districts have reported measles cases as of March 28, officials said citing reports from both the government and the World Health Organisation -- indicating widespread national transmission of the infectious disease.

Around 270 road crash victims visited the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) daily on average during the Eid vacation, as the number of road crashes increased during the period.

The National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) yesterday recommended lowering the age for receiving the measles vaccine to six months, as one-third of the children recently infected with measles are under nine months, the current age for vaccination.

The government is set to amend the anti-tobacco ordinance, withdrawing the ban on the production and sale of e-cigarettes, raising serious public health concerns.

At least 38 children have died of measles and related complications this year as the infectious disease is spreading in the capital and several other districts.

A 50-bed hospital is operating with only one duty doctor, with no emergency department. Its licence expired in June 2025.

Health minister pushes for inspections, strict attendance