The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has announced that the ward at Ad-Din Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, where six children recently died while under treatment, will be sealed. The decision was confirmed by Additional Director General Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan during an emergency press conference held in front of the hospital on Wednesday. He stated that the post-operative ward would be closed to ensure a proper investigation and to prevent any further unwanted incidents.

A high-level three-member investigation committee, led by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Health’s Hospital Wing, has already been formed to examine the incident. The committee has been instructed by DGHS Director General Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas to submit its report within 72 hours. The investigation will assess possible lapses in the treatment environment and identify the root cause of the problem.

Officials at the press conference added that if negligence is proven, strict legal action will be taken against those responsible.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has formed a three-member high-level investigation committee following the sudden deaths of six children who were under treatment at Ad-Din Hospital in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The committee is headed by the Joint Secretary of the ministry’s Hospital Wing and has been instructed to submit its report within 72 hours. The announcement was made by Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, during an emergency press briefing held at the hospital premises on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Biswas described the incident as deeply tragic and sensitive, emphasizing the need for a fair and impartial investigation. The committee will examine whether there was any negligence or misconduct in the treatment process and identify any other underlying issues. He further stated that if the investigation finds evidence of negligence by hospital officials or doctors, strict legal and administrative action will be taken against those responsible.

Additional Director General Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan of the Directorate General of Health Services was also present at the briefing.

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul stated that immediate action will be taken against hospital staff who mistreat patients and that doctors’ safety is being ensured. He announced that law enforcement personnel will soon be deployed in all hospitals across the country. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday morning during a visit to the Pakundia Upazila Health Complex in Kishoreganj, where he inspected various hospital sections and interacted with patients and staff.

During the visit, the minister reviewed the emergency department, male and female wards, and the hospital kitchen. He inquired about the quality of services and food provided to patients. Bakul said he was working under the Prime Minister’s directive to observe real conditions at the grassroots level and to improve discipline and service quality in hospitals.

He also mentioned that the government is actively working to prevent measles outbreaks through vaccination campaigns, ensuring that all children, including those previously unvaccinated, are brought under immunization coverage.

United Medical College Hospital in Satarkul, Madani Avenue, has introduced specialized treatment services for children affected by measles as part of efforts to address the ongoing outbreak across Bangladesh. The hospital has reorganized its operations to include a dedicated isolation unit, emergency triage system, separate NICU and PICU zones, and comprehensive infection control measures. International-standard safety protocols, including PPE use and regular disinfection, are being maintained to protect all patients.

To make treatment more accessible for children arriving from remote areas, the hospital is offering cabin facilities at ward costs and discounts on emergency services, ventilation support, and treatment expenses. Critically ill patients are receiving one-to-one nursing support and continuous monitoring. So far, 16 measles patients have been treated under this special program, with 14 discharged after recovery.

Dr. Azharul Islam Khan, Director of Medical Services at United Healthcare, emphasized the need for coordinated public-private initiatives to combat the measles situation effectively. He highlighted infection control, affordable care, and collective awareness as key to ensuring every child’s right to timely treatment.

Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area has described the deaths of six newborns as accidental. The hospital authorities made the statement at a press conference on Wednesday, confirming that the incident occurred in a ward where 11 mothers and six newborns, aged one to two days, were staying. Police confirmed the deaths, which occurred after the infants’ conditions deteriorated in the early hours of the morning.

Parents of the deceased infants alleged that a gas leak in the neonatal ward caused the tragedy. Preliminary findings indicated a malfunction in the air conditioning system that led to a gas leak, after which the babies’ health worsened. Hospital Director Professor Dr. Nahida Yasmin explained that the ward was air-conditioned and sometimes patients or relatives requested to turn off the AC due to cold. She detailed that two babies first fell ill around 3 a.m. and were taken to the neonatal ICU but later returned to the ward. By dawn, all six infants were in critical condition and eventually died despite intensive care efforts.

A three-member investigation committee has been formed to look into the incident.

Six newborn babies died following a gas leak in the neonatal ward of Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area on Wednesday morning. The incident was confirmed by Sheikh Zahidul Islam, Deputy Police Commissioner of DMP’s Ramna Division. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as investigations continue into the cause of the leak.

Initial reports indicate that a malfunction in the hospital’s air conditioning system caused the gas leak. The affected ward housed 11 mothers and six newborns aged between one and two days. According to Professor Dr. Nahida Yasmin, Director of Hospitals and Nursing at Ad-Din Hospital, the ward is air-conditioned, and patients or relatives sometimes request to turn off the AC due to excessive cold.

Dr. Yasmin added that two infants first showed signs of illness around 3 a.m. and were taken to the neonatal ICU, where they initially appeared stable. However, by dawn, all six newborns deteriorated rapidly and were transferred again to the ICU, where two were declared dead on arrival and four others later died despite ventilator support.

Russia has announced the discovery of a vaccine against the Ebola virus, according to its Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. The announcement comes amid growing international concern over Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda. The minister stated that the vaccine could protect against the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists.

While the Russian claim has raised global hopes, health experts have urged caution. They emphasized that clinical trial data, peer-reviewed publications, and regulatory reviews are essential before the vaccine can be considered safe and effective for widespread use. The Bundibugyo strain is one of the lesser-known but highly dangerous types of the Ebola virus.

According to reports from the World Health Organization and Reuters, there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment specifically designed for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bokul has accused the previous Awami League and caretaker governments of failing to purchase vaccines from foreign donor agencies due to alleged corruption motives. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon at a relief distribution event for the underprivileged in Monohardi Upazila, Narsingdi. The minister claimed that the earlier administrations intended to buy vaccines through private channels but abandoned the plan when their desired arrangements were not met.

According to Bokul, the failure to procure vaccines led to a sudden outbreak of measles across the country, resulting in the deaths of many children. He stated that after the current government took office, it quickly arranged vaccine supplies and launched immunization drives, which have significantly reduced the spread of measles. He expressed hope that the situation would further improve within a week.

The minister also mentioned that initiatives have been taken to combat dengue and that a large budget has been allocated to strengthen the health system, with plans for extensive future work in the sector.

Chattogram-10 Member of Parliament Saeed Al Noman has taken responsibility for two children, Anas and Ayesha, who were severely burned in a gas cylinder explosion in Halishahar. He visited them at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka to check on their condition and speak with doctors. The explosion occurred on February 23, killing their parents and seven other family members, leaving only their elderly grandmother alive.

Noman said all efforts would be made to ensure the children’s physical and mental recovery. He advised appointing a home tutor so they can continue their studies, with all educational expenses, including books, uniforms, and the tutor’s salary, to be covered on behalf of Prime Minister Tarek Rahman. He also pledged to install an air conditioner in their room and pay the monthly electricity bills to maintain a suitable temperature for their recovery.

The MP added that if further treatment is needed at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, special care will be arranged there as well. He emphasized his personal commitment to support the children until they can stand on their own.

Bangladesh Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain has announced that the Chandina Upazila Health Complex in Cumilla will be upgraded to a 100-bed hospital. He also pledged to demolish the old, risky building and construct a modern facility, install an electricity substation to keep the oxygen plant operational, and expedite other necessary development works. The announcement came during his unplanned visit to the hospital on Monday afternoon while returning from a tour of Cumilla.

During the visit, the minister inspected various wards, sanitation facilities, and overall infrastructure, and even tasted the food served to patients. He stated that paperwork had been prepared and instructions were given to start the work promptly. The hospital, currently a 50-bed facility, has long been awaiting expansion to meet local healthcare demands.

Local residents welcomed the minister’s announcement and urged for quick implementation of the promised development. Several officials, including the local MP, divisional health director, and district civil surgeon, were present during the visit.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain said that measles infection rates have dropped to nearly zero in 18 upazilas where the first phase of the vaccination campaign was conducted. He stated that the national measles vaccination program has achieved 122 percent of its target, with more than 20 million children vaccinated so far. The minister made these remarks on Monday morning after visiting Cumilla Medical College Hospital and Sadar General Hospital.

In response to a question about whether the government would seek an independent investigation from the World Health Organization into measles-related infections and deaths, the minister emphasized that punishment alone cannot solve the problem. He said the government’s top priority is to protect children from measles and ensure that no mother loses her child to the disease.

When asked about alleged irregularities worth 50 million taka in medicine procurement at Cumilla Medical College last year, the minister said that work has already begun and that existing public health issues must be addressed first.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the number of suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 900. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared the update on social media on Sunday, noting that intensified surveillance efforts have identified more than 900 suspected patients, with 101 confirmed infections. He did not provide new information on fatalities.

Ebola is a deadly viral disease transmitted through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, often causing severe bleeding and organ failure. The Congolese government declared an Ebola outbreak on May 15, identifying the virus as the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no approved vaccine or effective treatment.

According to the country’s health ministry, as of Saturday, 867 suspected cases had been recorded across three provinces, resulting in 204 deaths. Over the past five decades, Ebola outbreaks across Africa have claimed more than 15,000 lives.

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.