At a press conference held at the National Press Club ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, public health experts and anti-tobacco advocates called for strict legal measures to curb illegal tobacco promotion and the growing lure of new nicotine products among youth. Organized by the anti-tobacco group MANAS, the event was chaired by its founder, Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Chowdhury, who highlighted that tobacco-related health and environmental damage in Bangladesh costs 870 billion taka, far exceeding the 410 billion taka in revenue.

Speakers including actress Rumana Rashid Ishita, public health expert Syed Mahbubul Alam, and Unico Hospital CEO Adra Kurien urged the government to ban e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches, enforce tobacco control laws in entertainment media, and pass OTT regulations. They also recommended higher taxes on tobacco, awareness programs in schools, and withdrawal of government stakes from tobacco companies.

Participants warned that tobacco companies are using colors, flavors, and online media to attract youth, violating national laws. They emphasized that stronger enforcement and public awareness are essential to protect future generations from tobacco addiction.

Nutritionist Israt Jahan Priyana emphasized that moderate consumption of red meat can help control health risks, especially during Eid when meat intake often increases. She noted that red meat from beef, mutton, buffalo, and lamb provides essential nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, copper, vitamin B-12, and selenium. However, excessive or uncontrolled intake may raise levels of saturated fat, cholesterol, and protein, leading to digestive issues and other health concerns.

According to the guidance, a healthy adult can safely consume about 350–500 grams of cooked red meat per week, ideally spread over two to three days. Choosing lean cuts, removing visible fat, and cooking with less oil are recommended to reduce saturated fat. Healthier cooking methods include boiling, stewing, or grilling instead of deep-frying or heavy barbecuing, which can produce harmful compounds. Including vegetables, salads, and fiber-rich foods helps digestion and balances nutrition.

Individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or kidney problems should be particularly cautious, limiting intake and avoiding processed meats. Maintaining dietary balance with vegetables, fruits, and whole grains is essential for overall health.

NCC Bank PLC organized a free eye treatment camp in Chhagalnaiya upazila of Feni to mark its 33rd founding anniversary. Conducted under the NCC Bank Foundation with support from Bangladesh Eye Trust Hospital, the camp was held at the premises of Moulvi Shamsul Karim College. A total of 1,125 underprivileged patients received free medical consultations, medicines, and eyeglasses. The event was inaugurated by NCC Bank Chairman Md. Nurun Newaz Selim, with senior bank officials and local dignitaries in attendance.

Organizers announced that selected patients requiring cataract surgery would receive free transportation to Dhaka, accommodation, meals, phaco machine operations, post-surgery medicines, and sunglasses. Munshi Rafiqul Alam Majnu welcomed the initiative, noting that it would benefit the poor and reduce blindness risks in Feni district.

Chairman Selim emphasized that NCC Bank’s activities extend beyond profit-making, focusing on education, health, and welfare for disadvantaged communities. Managing Director M. Shamsul Arefin added that the initiative continues the bank’s CSR efforts, including winter clothing distribution, scholarships, and livelihood support for climate-vulnerable groups.

A free eye treatment and cataract surgery camp was held in Shahrashti, Chandpur, on Saturday. The event took place at a local school from morning to evening, where more than 400 patients received free eye care services. Among them, 25 patients were selected for cataract operations.

According to the foundation’s founder, Engineer Mokbul Hossain, free medicines were distributed to all patients. Those chosen for surgery will be taken to Dhaka for completely free operations, with all travel, accommodation, and food expenses covered by the foundation. The foundation’s general secretary, Jamal Hossain, stated that four specialist doctors provided prescriptions during the camp.

The initiative aimed to extend accessible eye care to underprivileged residents of Shahrashti, reflecting the foundation’s ongoing commitment to community health support.

Intern doctors at Chittagong International Medical College Hospital have begun an indefinite work stoppage demanding a safe working environment and punishment for those involved in an assault on one of their colleagues. The strike started on Thursday night, May 21, and by Friday afternoon no intern doctors were providing medical services at the hospital.

According to reports, intern doctor Dr. Ashfaqul Islam was attacked around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday while returning home after his evening duty near the entrance of Chandgaon residential area. He sustained serious injuries, and his mobile phone was damaged during the assault. Locals rescued him and took him to the hospital, where fellow interns provided initial treatment. A case is expected to be filed at Chandgaon Police Station naming several ninth-batch students as accused.

The hospital principal, Professor Dr. Muhammad Muslim Uddin Sabuj, said a five-member investigation committee has been formed and action will be taken once the report is received. He added that overall hospital operations remain normal.

A new study published in The Lancet reports that around 1.2 billion people worldwide suffered from mental illnesses in 2023, marking a 95.5 percent increase since 1990. The research, based on data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2023, found anxiety and depression to be the most prevalent conditions, followed by personality disorders. The study analyzed mental health trends across 204 countries and regions, highlighting that the world is entering an alarming phase of mental health burden.

Lead author Dr. Damian Santomauro of the University of Queensland expressed concern over the scale of the increase, calling for global leadership to address the crisis. The study noted that women are more affected overall, while autism, ADHD, conduct disorder, and personality disorders are more common among men. Mental illness has become a leading cause of disability, with the highest rates now seen among those aged 15 to 19.

Experts cited factors such as lifestyle stress, economic instability, trauma, inadequate healthcare, and social isolation as key drivers. They urged improvements in mental health services and lifestyle balance to meet growing global needs.

A new French study published in the European Heart Journal has found that common preservatives used in store-bought foods are associated with increased risks of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. The research, part of the ongoing NutriNet-Santé study in France since 2009, analyzed data from more than 112,000 participants aged over 15 and examined the effects of 58 preservatives on heart health. It found that preservatives could raise hypertension risk by 29 percent and heart attack or stroke risk by 16 percent.

The study identified both synthetic and so-called natural antioxidant preservatives, such as citric acid and ascorbic acid, as contributors to elevated blood pressure. Lead researcher Mathilde Touvier from France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research noted that naturally occurring compounds in fruits and vegetables differ from chemically produced additives. Co-author Anaïs Hasenböhler added that preservatives are widely used beyond ultra-processed foods, making dietary avoidance difficult.

Researchers also linked several preservatives, including sodium nitrite and potassium metabisulfite, to cancer and type-2 diabetes in earlier studies. Experts cautioned that the findings are observational and do not prove causation, calling for further investigation.

The National Doctors Forum (NDF) has called for gradually increasing Bangladesh’s public health expenditure to 5 percent of GDP in the national budget. The demand was made at a roundtable titled “National Health Budget 2026–27” held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Thursday. NDF leaders said the current allocation of only 0.7 percent of GDP is inadequate to meet public healthcare needs, forcing citizens to bear most medical costs themselves.

Economist Dr. Mizanur Rahman presented the keynote paper, noting that according to the World Health Organization, countries should spend at least 5 percent of GDP on health. He said about 70 percent of total health expenses in Bangladesh come directly from people’s pockets, creating financial risks for low- and middle-income groups. Participants, including lawmakers and health economists, emphasized that health should be treated as a long-term investment rather than an expense.

The NDF also proposed raising per capita health allocation to 100 dollars, expanding ICU, NICU, dialysis, cancer, and cardiac facilities at district levels, and introducing national health insurance. The forum recommended increased funding for medical education, rural health incentives, improved drug supply in public hospitals, and wider use of digital health and telemedicine.

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) has warned that declining vaccination coverage could increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Bangladesh. In a statement released on Thursday, the organization emphasized that vaccines should be viewed not only as tools for preventing infectious diseases but also as a key strategy to reduce antibiotic use, curb drug-resistant infections, and protect public health. The warning came alongside a new policy brief from the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership (GARP), led by ICDDR,B and One Health Trust, highlighting the critical role of vaccines in reducing infections and antibiotic consumption.

The policy brief, titled “The Importance of Vaccines in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in Bangladesh,” was developed through consultations among government agencies, researchers, academics, development partners, and animal health experts. It noted that while Bangladesh’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has achieved major successes, including eliminating neonatal tetanus and polio, recent measles outbreaks reflect declining immunity due to disruptions in routine vaccination and reduced public trust.

The brief recommended maintaining universal child immunization coverage, expanding access to proven AMR-preventive vaccines, and integrating vaccination more effectively into Bangladesh’s national AMR strategy.

Member of Parliament Mosammat Shamsunnahar visited the Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex in Chattogram on Wednesday morning to inspect its deteriorating condition. The nearly 70-year-old facility continues to provide medical services despite severe infrastructure decay, shortage of doctors and staff, limited government allocation, and overcrowding. Upon arrival at 11:30 a.m., she was received by Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Altaf Hossain and toured various wards, including emergency and outpatient units, speaking with patients and their families.

Hospital authorities briefed the MP on the building’s fragile state, the shortage of medical personnel and equipment, and the growing patient load. Dr. Altaf Hossain stated that the hospital’s wards are in a dilapidated condition and that resources have not increased in proportion to patient demand. Shamsunnahar expressed satisfaction with the hospital’s cleanliness and the dedication of its doctors.

The MP assured that she would work with local representatives, including MP Professor Aslam Chowdhury, to address infrastructure, staffing, and equipment needs through coordination with relevant authorities.

A family in Barishal alleged that medical negligence at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital led to the death of a newborn, followed by assault and detention of two relatives for seven hours. The incident began around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and continued until 1:00 a.m., when the grieving mother reportedly begged for release. Relatives said the baby’s uncle and another man were beaten and confined after accusing doctors of negligence.

Witnesses described that the confrontation started when the family questioned the care provided to the infant, who had been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Hospital students denied the assault, claiming instead that the relatives had harassed female students and nurses. Police and hospital authorities later intervened to defuse tensions, with officials confirming that both sides were spoken to and the situation was resolved.

Authorities stated that further legal action would depend on receiving a formal written complaint, while the hospital director emphasized the need for patience and gradual problem-solving within the institution.

Bangladesh Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of food served to patients during a surprise inspection at Khulna 250-bed General Hospital on Wednesday. While visiting the hospital’s kitchen, he tasted a pumpkin curry prepared for patients, immediately spat it out, and questioned whether anyone would eat such food if it were cooked at home. He instructed the hospital superintendent to ensure better-quality meals for patients.

During the inspection, the minister also visited the hospital’s outpatient department, waste management facilities, and toilets. Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, Deputy Commissioner Hure Jannat, and Civil Surgeon Mosha. Mahfuza Khatun were present during the visit. Later, the minister visited the fire-damaged Khulna Medical College Hospital.

The visit highlighted concerns about hospital food standards and general service quality, prompting directives for immediate improvement in patient care and facility management.

The government has officially renamed Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka as 'Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital'. The announcement was made through a circular signed by Kazi Sharif Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Secretary of the Health Services Division’s Government Health Management-1 branch, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The order was issued under the authority of the President and declared effective immediately in the public interest.

According to the circular, copies of the directive have been sent to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, the Private Secretary to the Health Minister, and other relevant offices for necessary action. The notice marks an administrative change in the hospital’s official identity and operational designation.

The renaming reflects a formal step by the health authorities to update institutional nomenclature, with immediate implementation across relevant departments as instructed in the government order.

A woman named Nasrin Nahar died at Khulna Medical College Hospital on Wednesday morning after a fire broke out in the emergency operating theater. According to hospital sources, she panicked during the incident and removed her oxygen mask while trying to evacuate, leading to her death from lack of oxygen. Nasrin, daughter of Nesar Ali from Koyra upazila in Khulna, had been admitted to the hospital on Sunday due to congenital diabetes.

Dr. Dilip Kumar Kundu, head of the hospital’s ICU department, said Nasrin was on ventilation along with 14 other patients. All other patients were safely evacuated, but Nasrin’s relatives attempted to move her themselves, and she died while being taken out. The incident caused alarm among patients and staff but was brought under control.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the cause of the fire or any official investigation into the incident.

Shamima Nasrin, a senior staff nurse at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital in Mohakhali, shared her 32-year journey in nursing, driven by a desire to serve humanity. She began her career at Bagerhat Sadar Hospital after completing her studies at Bagerhat Nursing Institute, inspired by her brother. Reflecting on her early days, she described the overwhelming number of patients and the pride she felt in helping them.

Nasrin recounted deeply emotional moments from her career, including being unable to see her father’s body after his death in 2016 because she was on night duty. She also recalled the death of a wounded student during the July movement, which left a lasting impact on her. Balancing professional and family responsibilities, she credited her husband’s support for helping her manage both.

She expressed frustration that nurses in Bangladesh are not properly valued, despite their frontline roles during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nasrin urged policymakers to ensure fair recognition, risk allowances, and improved working conditions for nurses across the country.