The Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives has taken responsibility for the repatriation of expatriate Bangladeshi worker Minar Hossain, who recently became critically ill. On Monday, April 20, Bangladesh High Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Nazmul Islam handed over an air ticket to facilitate Minar Hossain’s return home. The ticket was provided from the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board fund under the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

During the handover, the High Commissioner wished Minar Hossain a speedy recovery and assured that the High Commission would continue to support Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives in any situation. He also emphasized the mission’s commitment to ensuring proper medical care and legal rights for migrant workers.

Minar Hossain, a resident of Matlab South in Chandpur district, had been working in the Maldives for a long time with BMET clearance. He recently suffered a heart stroke and is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on April 24 via a US-Bangla Airlines flight.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that 2,650,039 children received measles vaccinations across Bangladesh between April 5 and April 20, 2026. He shared the update during a press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday, noting that the government aims to vaccinate a total of 18 million children under the program.

During the same briefing, Dr. Rahman also reported progress on the government’s canal excavation program, stating that 561 kilometers out of a planned 1,260 kilometers have been completed, marking a 44.55 percent completion rate. He further mentioned that the government is considering organizing a regional New Year celebration next year with neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and parts of India.

Dr. Rahman added that the Prime Minister emphasized more organized cultural events in the future. The government plans to extend Baishakhi festivities throughout the month, aiming to strengthen national identity and cultural diplomacy through regional cooperation.

Medical services at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital were severely disrupted after intern doctors began a 24-hour work stoppage on Tuesday morning. The protest was launched in response to repeated incidents of harassment against interns by patients’ relatives and the alleged lack of visible action against the perpetrators. The strike, which started at 9 a.m., has directly affected patient care across multiple wards.

According to the interns’ organization, three interns were assaulted over two consecutive days, prompting widespread anger and concern among medical staff. The protesting doctors are demanding immediate security measures, punishment for those responsible, and a safer work environment. They have also announced a one-hour human chain demonstration scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Hospital operations have been strained by the absence of interns, who handle a large portion of daily patient care. Other doctors are struggling to manage emergency cases, and routine checkups have slowed. Patients and their families have expressed frustration over the disruption, while observers warn that the situation could worsen if swift action is not taken.

Myanmar’s military junta has expanded its ban on sanitary pads, claiming that resistance fighters use them for medical purposes. Although no official announcement has been made, the restriction is part of a broader strategy known as the “four cuts,” aimed at depriving opposition forces of essential supplies. The ban, which began in some rebel-held areas in August last year, now includes a transport blockade between Mandalay and Sagaing.

Women’s rights group Sisters2Sisters said the military alleges that the People’s Defense Force uses menstrual products to absorb sweat and blood in combat. Health experts, including Meredith Ban of Skills for Humanity, dismissed this claim, noting that sanitary towels are unsuitable for treating wounds. Activists described the policy as misogynistic and harmful, forcing women to rely on unsafe alternatives such as torn cloth or leaves, increasing risks of infections.

As prices for pads have tripled on the black market, many women face severe discomfort and reduced mobility. Observers believe the junta’s actions aim to further restrict women’s participation in public and political life, reflecting a broader pattern of gender-based repression.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain inaugurated the nationwide measles vaccination campaign on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Little Angel Seminary in Zinda Park, Rupganj, Narayanganj. The program aims to vaccinate about 18 million children across 18 districts, 30 upazilas, and 4 city corporations.

According to the schedule, the first phase of the campaign began on April 5 and will continue until April 25, while the second phase, which started on April 12, will run until May 12. The newly launched nationwide special campaign will continue in city corporation areas until May 20 and in other parts of the country until May 12.

Earlier, on April 5, the measles-rubella vaccination program started in 30 upazilas of 18 districts, followed by a second phase on April 12 in four major city corporations—Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Barishal, and Mymensingh.

A large-scale measles vaccination campaign has begun in Chandpur, aiming to immunize 321,000 children aged six months to five years. The program will continue until April 25, with an official inauguration scheduled at 10 a.m. on Monday at the District Collectorate School by Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, Member of Parliament for Chandpur Sadar.

Ahead of the campaign, a press conference was held at the Chandpur Press Club, where Dr. Md. Rafiqul Hasan Faisal, the Upazila Family Planning Officer, explained the symptoms and transmission risks of measles. He emphasized that the virus spreads rapidly and poses serious danger to young children, urging parents to ensure timely vaccination. To support the effort, 2,424 vaccination centers have been set up across the district, staffed by 313 teams.

Local journalists, including the president and former leaders of the Chandpur Press Club, attended the briefing and shared their views and suggestions regarding the campaign’s implementation.

The High Court of Bangladesh will hold a hearing on Monday regarding a petition demanding the closure of all educational institutions until the nationwide measles outbreak is brought under control. The date was set on Sunday, April 19, 2026, by a bench led by Justice Rajik Al Jalil. Barrister Purnima Jahan represented the petition in court.

The petition, filed on April 2, seeks a directive to keep schools closed until the measles situation improves and requests the formation of a high-level investigation committee into the deaths of 47 children reportedly caused by the disease. In addition, a legal notice was sent to the health minister, health secretary, and the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, urging immediate action to ensure measles vaccination for all children within 24 hours.

The notice stated that vaccine shortages have led to infections, hospitalizations, and deaths among children, while authorities have yet to take effective measures. Media reports on child deaths and hundreds of infections were attached to the notice as supporting evidence.

The Noakhali health department has completed preparations for a large-scale measles vaccination campaign targeting 505,350 children across the district. The announcement was made by Civil Surgeon Dr. Anwar Hossain at a press conference held on April 18, 2026. The campaign will cover all nine upazilas, eight municipalities, 91 unions, 279 wards, 1,385 schools, and 1,480 madrasas, focusing on children aged six months to five years. A total of 2,241 vaccinators and 4,482 volunteers will participate in the drive.

According to the Civil Surgeon, the initiative follows a recent rise in suspected measles cases, with 273 suspected patients identified and 61 currently under treatment. Laboratory tests confirmed eight positive cases. The health department has mapped high-risk areas and strengthened surveillance, with local administration and media engaged to raise awareness. Parents have been urged to ensure timely vaccination and ignore misinformation.

Officials stated that no deaths from measles have been reported in the district so far, and most hospitalized patients are in stable condition. The campaign aims to ensure no child remains unvaccinated.

United Medical College Hospital, a flagship institution of United Healthcare, has introduced a special health service initiative for Hajj pilgrims to ensure their well-being. A dedicated health service center has been set up at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, offering free primary healthcare and essential medicines directly to pilgrims before their departure.

Located on 100 Feet Madani Avenue, the hospital’s initiative allows travelers to undergo health check-ups before boarding flights, helping to reduce health risks during the long journey. The service center will remain open 24 hours a day from April 18, the date of the first Hajj flight, until the last flight departs.

According to the organizers, the initiative reflects a commitment to making quality healthcare more accessible and ensuring the safety and wellness of pilgrims. They also expressed hope that similar programs will continue in the future to support travelers’ health needs.

Doctors in Khulna have expressed strong anger over the forced resignation of Dr. Rafiqul Haque Bablu, chairman of the trustee board of BNSB Eye Hospital. The incident occurred after a mob allegedly compelled him to step down. At a human chain event held on Saturday, April 18, in front of the BMA building at Satrasta intersection, the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) demanded his reinstatement by Tuesday, April 21, and action against local BNP leaders involved in the incident. They also called for an end to undue interference in the hospital’s trustee board, warning that doctors would begin a work stoppage, except for emergency services, if their demands were not met.

Speakers at the event said that on April 13, Khulna-5 MP Ali Asgar Lobi visited the hospital with several local BNP leaders, whose followers created chaos that led to Dr. Bablu’s resignation. They claimed that Dr. Bablu had taken administrative steps to curb irregularities at the hospital, which angered those benefiting from corruption and prompted the orchestrated incident.

The protest was chaired by Dr. Bablu himself and conducted by city DAB president Dr. Mostafa Kamal, with several central and local leaders addressing the gathering.

The Lakshmipur District Health Department has set a target to vaccinate 270,830 children against measles. The campaign will run from April 20 to May 10, 2026, covering 11 working days. The announcement was made by Civil Surgeon Dr. Abu Hasan Shahin during a briefing with journalists at the Civil Surgeon’s office on April 18. The vaccination will be administered to children aged six months to five years.

According to the district plan, 97,404 children will be vaccinated in Sadar upazila, 38,652 in Raipur, 44,997 in Ramganj, 35,500 in Kamalnagar, 36,974 in Ramgati, and 17,323 in Lakshmipur municipality. The campaign will be conducted across 1,584 centers with the participation of 183 supervisors, 200 vaccinators, and 400 volunteers.

Journalists, including the president of the Lakshmipur Press Club, attended the briefing session where the campaign details were shared.

Five children have died from measles and related symptoms across Bangladesh in the past 24 hours, with 1,278 new infections reported. Among the new cases, 127 were confirmed measles patients, while 1,115 were hospitalized with suspected symptoms. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) released these figures in a press statement on Friday, April 17, 2026.

According to the DGHS data, from March 15 to April 17, a total of 37 confirmed measles deaths and 174 suspected deaths have occurred nationwide. During the same period, 3,192 confirmed cases and 21,467 suspected cases were recorded, while 11,243 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. The highest number of suspected infections was reported in Dhaka Division, with 9,274 cases, including 1,965 confirmed infections.

The health authorities stated that continuous monitoring is underway through an integrated control center, which collects and analyzes data regularly. The DGHS has urged the public to remain alert and ensure timely medical care for affected children.

At a press briefing held on Wednesday at BIRDEM Hospital’s conference room, Professor Dr. A.K. Azad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Diabetic Association and former chairman of the Health Reform Commission, called on the government to supply insulin free of cost to Type-1 diabetes patients. He emphasized that these patients are entirely dependent on insulin for survival, comparing its necessity to oxygen and water.

Dr. Khan highlighted that the Bangladesh Diabetic Association, founded in 1956 by National Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, has expanded its services significantly over the decades. He stated that the association provides far more comprehensive care than similar organizations worldwide, which mostly focus on advocacy.

The event was attended by the association’s member secretary Muhammad Abu Taher Khan and national councillor Matiur Rahman Laltu. Dr. Khan reiterated that access to insulin is a fundamental right for citizens living with diabetes in Bangladesh.

National Professor Dr. A K Azad Khan, president of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh and former chairman of the Health Reform Commission, has called on the government to provide insulin free of cost to type-1 diabetes patients. Speaking at a press briefing on April 15 at BIRDEM Hospital in Dhaka, he said that insulin is essential for survival and that diabetic patients have the right to live. He emphasized that type-1 patients are the most vulnerable as they depend entirely on insulin.

Dr. Azad explained that diabetes has become a global epidemic, with developing countries experiencing faster growth rates than developed ones. The Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, founded in 1956 by National Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, now operates in 61 districts with 94 affiliated members. The association provides free services worth about Tk 1.19 billion annually, while the government contributes around Tk 300 million. He added that the organization is expanding services through mosque-based initiatives and cross-financing support.

He also noted that nearly 80 percent of diabetes cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes and physical activity, stressing the importance of early prevention and public awareness.

Md. Jasim Uddin from Shariatpur donated one of his kidneys to save his wife, Minara Begum, who had been suffering from kidney failure. The transplant was successfully performed on March 5 at Shyamoli CKD and Urology Hospital in Dhaka. Following the surgery, Minara has been recovering gradually and is now living in a rented house in Dhaka with her husband and son, under medical supervision.

According to family sources, Minara’s illness began two years ago with high blood pressure and other complications, eventually leading to kidney failure and a tumor. Her mother initially volunteered to donate a kidney but was found unfit due to heart disease. Facing financial hardship and emotional distress, Jasim decided to donate his own kidney. The couple, married since 2007, have one son who studies in Dhaka.

Local residents and officials, including the chairman of Kuchaipatti Union Parishad, praised Jasim’s decision as an extraordinary example of love and selflessness that has deeply moved the community.