Dr. Golam Sarwar Liaquat Hossain Bhuiyan, director of the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital, has warned that air pollution and smoking are driving a rise in respiratory illnesses across Bangladesh. In an interview published on April 22, 2026, he said that vehicle emissions, brick kilns, industrial pollution, mosquito coils, and sprays are key triggers for asthma, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is mainly linked to smoking. He emphasized that persistent cough, chest pain, and breathing difficulties should prompt immediate medical consultation.

The doctor noted that rural areas still face major challenges in diagnosing and treating chest diseases due to shortages of sputum testing and X-ray facilities. He added that Dhaka ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, citing vehicle smoke, construction dust, and unplanned industrialization as major causes. He urged stronger public awareness campaigns to discourage smoking and improve early detection of tuberculosis and other lung diseases.

He also recommended expanding vaccination coverage for pneumonia among older adults to reduce severe outcomes and called for better diagnostic and referral systems in rural healthcare.