The government has appointed Md. Alamgir Hossain, an additional secretary attached to the Ministry of Public Administration, as the new Director General of the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA). The appointment was made on deputation, and his service has been placed under the Health Services Division. The Ministry of Public Administration issued the official notification on Tuesday.

Alamgir Hossain replaces Major General Md. Shamim Hayder, who had been serving as the DG of the DGDA since October 22, 2024. The DGDA is the sole authority responsible for licensing and regulating the pharmaceutical sector in Bangladesh.

The appointment marks a leadership transition in the key regulatory body overseeing the country’s medicine production and distribution, ensuring continued oversight of the pharmaceutical industry.

The Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed deep concern over the widespread measles infection and rising child deaths across Bangladesh. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the rights organization said that a large number of children are being infected daily with measles or its symptoms, many are being hospitalized, and some are dying. ASK described these deaths from a preventable disease as a serious failure of public health management, policy planning, and state preparedness.

The organization noted that effective, safe, and low-cost vaccines against measles have long been available, raising questions about why timely vaccine procurement, supply, and regular immunization programs were not ensured. ASK emphasized that under Articles 15 and 18 of the Constitution, the state has a constitutional obligation to protect citizens’ health, particularly children, from preventable diseases. It also cited Bangladesh’s commitments under Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to ensure vaccination and disease prevention.

ASK urged the government to immediately expand emergency vaccination nationwide, prioritize vulnerable regions and communities, ensure free quality treatment for affected children, strengthen vaccine supply systems, and hold those responsible for past negligence accountable.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that the nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign is ongoing, with 9,423,799 children vaccinated as of the evening of April 27. He shared the update during a briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

The adviser also reported that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) achieved significant progress over the past two months under the government’s zero-tolerance policy and technology-based border management. Arrests related to border crimes increased by about 700 percent compared to last year, border killings dropped by 75 percent, and drug and smuggling seizures rose by 40 percent. BGB also prevented the smuggling of about 100,000 liters of fuel, a 35 percent improvement from last year, and human trafficking prevention efforts improved by 25 percent.

Dr. Rahman further stated that the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will begin fuel loading on April 28, with 300 megawatts expected to join the national grid by mid-August and full capacity of 1,200 megawatts by January. The second unit is expected to connect to the grid by the end of 2027.

A woman in Swarupkathi, Pirojpur, refused to abandon her newborn son born without limbs, despite the father’s insistence to leave the baby. The child was born on April 22 at New Satata Private Hospital, where the father declined to accept the baby or bear medical expenses, citing social shame. The mother, Liza, rejected his demand and took the baby to her father’s home on Tuesday morning after both recovered.

Hospital authorities and attending doctors agreed to cover all medical costs for the newborn, ensuring his stable condition before discharge. The mother expressed her determination to raise and educate her child, emphasizing her unconditional love and responsibility.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion in the local community. Many praised the mother’s courage and compassion while criticizing the father’s refusal. The hospital’s humanitarian support also drew appreciation, turning the story into a symbol of maternal devotion overcoming social stigma.

Five children have drowned in separate incidents over four days in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, causing widespread grief and alarm among residents. The latest death occurred on Monday afternoon in Baraidala Union, where six-year-old Humayra fell into a pond near her home. Earlier, four other children aged between three and nine died in similar accidents in different areas of the upazila.

Local residents said most rural homes are surrounded by open ponds and water bodies without protective fencing, posing serious risks to children. Health officials noted that drowning is one of the leading causes of death among Bangladeshi children aged one to ten, particularly in rural areas where ponds and ditches are common near homes. Sitakunda Health Officer Dr. Altaf Hossain described the deaths as preventable and called for awareness campaigns and coordinated efforts among local departments.

Public health experts recommended institutional measures such as swimming lessons in primary schools, community daycare centers, and local water safety programs. Residents urged authorities to treat the issue as a public safety emergency to prevent further tragedies.

At least 53 people were injured within 24 hours after being bitten by a rabid dog in Sakhipur upazila of Tangail. The incidents occurred from Sunday morning to Monday afternoon across several areas including Kalia, Barachawna, Kakrajan unions, and the municipal area. Among the injured were nine children and ten women. The attacks began in Debolchala village and continued through multiple localities, spreading fear among residents.

All victims were taken to Sakhipur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors provided first aid and administered rabies vaccines. One seriously injured person, Abdur Rashid, was transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka. The on-duty medical officer described the number of cases in a single day as highly unusual and confirmed that patients were receiving vaccines according to medical protocol.

Upazila Executive Officer Abdullah Al Roni acknowledged a shortage of vaccines but said efforts were underway to address it. He urged residents to remain cautious but not panic as authorities worked to manage the situation.

In Boalmari upazila of Faridpur, 74 people received treatment and vaccines after being bitten by dogs over the past three months, according to Dr. Nazmul Hasan, family planning officer at the upazila health complex. Health officials reported that cat bites are also common, though not separately recorded, suggesting the actual number of bite victims could be higher. The monthly breakdown shows 17 cases in January, 31 in February, and 26 in March.

Residents said most incidents occurred on roads when stray dogs suddenly attacked pedestrians. Locals observed an increase in the number of stray dogs and noted their increasingly aggressive behavior, raising public safety concerns. Cat bites, often from domestic pets, were also reported but frequently neglected.

Locals complained that previous municipal vaccination programs for dogs are no longer visible, heightening infection risks. Dr. Hasan stated that careless movement contributes to the rise in bite cases but assured that vaccines are adequately stocked. Residents urged authorities to take prompt action to control stray animals and raise public awareness to reduce such risks.

Health experts in Bangladesh have raised concerns about the growing use of e-cigarettes, which first entered the country in 2012 and have since gained popularity for their seemingly harmless vapor and sweet aroma. Despite claims by importers and sellers that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional ones, specialists emphasize that most contain nicotine, a substance known to cause addiction. Professor Sohel Reza Chowdhury of the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute noted that nicotine intake from e-cigarettes can sometimes exceed that from conventional cigarettes due to prolonged use.

Chowdhury warned that young people are increasingly drawn to these products, and without swift action, their harmful effects could become more widespread. Although the long-term health consequences of e-cigarettes remain uncertain, several studies in recent years have shown they are not safe. The World Health Organization’s Global Tobacco Epidemic report states that e-cigarette users are twice as likely to become addicted to regular cigarettes.

Bangladesh’s tobacco control laws, first enacted in 2005 and amended in 2013, have limited advertising and mandated health warnings, yet smoking persists, contributing to over 130,000 tobacco-related deaths annually.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman inaugurated the construction of a 500-bed medical college hospital in Jashore on Monday afternoon. The project, located on 75 bighas of land in Harinar Beel, had been approved in 2006 but remained stalled for years. The new initiative marks the formal start of hospital construction under the current government’s renewed efforts.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the project on August 29, 2023, and contractor recruitment began in June 2025. According to the Public Works Department, the project will cost Tk 676 crore and include a ten-storey hospital building, hostels for students and interns, a nursing college, dormitories, residential facilities, a 500-seat auditorium, a mosque, and an electrical substation. Completion is expected by June 2028.

Students said the hospital’s establishment beside the college will improve education quality and provide advanced medical services to about eight million people across Jashore, Jhenaidah, Magura, and Narail districts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 17,000 cases of infections among displaced Palestinians in Gaza during the first three months of the year. The infections, spread by rats and bedbugs, have primarily affected those forced to live in unhygienic conditions after their homes were destroyed. The WHO released this information in a report published on Friday.

According to the same report, Israel’s ongoing military actions have caused an estimated 1.4 billion dollars in damage to Gaza’s health sector, with more than 1,800 hospitals and healthcare facilities either completely destroyed or partially damaged. Despite a ceasefire declared in October last year, Israeli forces have continued attacks, including recent strikes that killed at least five Palestinians, among them a child.

The Palestinian Health Ministry stated that in the past 24 hours, two people were killed and 11 injured in Israeli attacks. Since the start of the aggression more than two years ago, 72,587 people have been killed and 172,381 injured in Gaza.

Recent research cited by Amar Desh Online on April 27, 2026, indicates that smoking poses greater health risks for women than for men. The report highlights that while smoking rates among men have slightly declined, the habit is increasing among women, leading to heightened concerns about its long-term effects on female health and fertility.

According to the findings, women who smoke face a higher likelihood of developing lung cancer compared to men and non-smokers. Smoking also negatively affects skin, teeth, and gums, accelerates aging, and contributes to anxiety, depression, and reduced bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. The most alarming impact is on reproductive health, as smoking can reduce fertility and raise the chances of miscarriage, premature birth, and stillbirth.

The article urges women to reconsider smoking habits, emphasizing that it is not a symbol of modernity or sophistication but a destructive addiction that undermines physical and mental well-being. It calls for awareness and lifestyle changes to protect health and motherhood.

Two female students were seriously injured by lightning in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla monument at Dhaka University on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. during a storm and rain. The injured students, identified as Sufia Akter and Farah Akter, both 22 years old and students of East West University, were rescued unconscious and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

According to eyewitness and fellow student Aglina, the group was standing in the area when the lightning struck, injuring Sufia and Farah. They were immediately transported to the new building of the hospital’s emergency department for treatment.

Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police camp, confirmed the incident and said both students are receiving necessary medical care and are under observation.

A new report has revealed that more than 400,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United Kingdom, marking a record high and signaling growing pressure on the country's healthcare system. According to Cancer Research UK, around 403,000 new cancer cases are identified annually, averaging about 1,100 new patients daily or one every 80 seconds.

The report attributes this rise mainly to population growth and an aging demographic, along with increasing obesity rates and smoking habits. It notes that smoking alone causes approximately 57,700 cancer cases each year. While survival rates have improved significantly, with about half of patients now living at least ten years after diagnosis, the report warns that progress could stall without stronger preventive and diagnostic measures.

Cancer Research UK urged governments across the UK to expand screening programs, reduce preventable risks, and invest more in research and healthcare to ensure sustainable improvements in patient outcomes.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, a Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament, personally tasted hospital food to assess its quality at the Bholahat Upazila Health Complex in Chapainawabganj. The inspection took place around noon on Sunday, following the monthly meeting of the hospital management committee.

During the meeting, participants discussed the overall operations of the hospital, including improving patient care, ensuring the availability of medical equipment and medicines, maintaining cleanliness, and confirming regular attendance of doctors. Dr. Rahman emphasized the need for sincere efforts from all concerned to enhance healthcare services and highlighted the importance of coordinated initiatives to deliver quality healthcare to the public.

The meeting was attended by the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Shovon Pal, Officer-in-Charge Abdul Barik, Social Services Officer Nasim Uddin, local Jamaat leaders, and other committee members.

More than one hundred students became ill after eating school feeding tiffin at Makrampur Government Primary School in Gomastapur upazila of Chapainawabganj on Sunday afternoon. The tiffin distributed under the school feeding program contained eggs. Shortly after eating, many students developed itching and other symptoms, prompting concern among teachers and parents.

Doctors from the Gomastapur Upazila Health Complex provided immediate treatment to the affected students. According to physician Shahidul Islam, most of the children showed signs of allergic skin reactions and were stabilized after receiving prompt care. He suggested that the illness was likely caused by a food-related allergy.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Isahak stated that medical assistance was arranged immediately after the incident and that stricter monitoring will be enforced to ensure food safety in future school feeding distributions.