The United Kingdom has passed a new law aimed at creating a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of all tobacco products to individuals born after 2008. According to The Guardian, the bill on tobacco and vaping received approval from both houses of Parliament and is awaiting royal assent to become law. Once enacted, it will prohibit the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, gradually phasing out tobacco use nationwide.

The bill was first introduced on November 5, 2024, and completed its legislative journey after the House of Lords approved amendments from the House of Commons. Policymakers expect the measure to break the cycle of addiction and significantly reduce smoking-related health risks. Statistics show that in England alone, smoking leads to about 400,000 hospital admissions and 64,000 deaths annually, costing the National Health Service billions of pounds each year.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the bill as a historic step for public health, saying it will protect future generations from addiction and tobacco-related harm while promoting a healthier society.

Two sub-health centers in Raipur upazila of Lakshmipur have been operating without doctors for about 11 to 12 years, depriving local residents of essential healthcare. According to the Raipur Upazila Health Complex office, the centers in Haydarganj Bazar of Char Ababil Union and Saicha village of Bamni Union each have sanctioned doctor posts that remain vacant. Currently, an MBBS doctor visits once a week, while a sub-assistant community medical officer serves patients on other days.

Local union chairmen and residents said the absence of doctors has forced villagers to travel 10 to 12 kilometers to the upazila health complex for even minor ailments, increasing patient pressure on the 50-bed facility. Around 86,000 families, traders, students, and coastal workers depend on these centers, but the lack of doctors has caused severe hardship.

Raipur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Bahrul Alam confirmed that reports on the vacancies are regularly sent to the civil surgeon. He noted that the shortage has significantly increased patient load at the upazila hospital, where 400–500 people visit the outpatient department daily.

An international exhibition on healthcare, medical equipment, surgery, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics titled Meditex Health Tourism 2026 will begin in Dhaka on May 7. Organized by Conference and Exhibition Management Services (SEMS-Global USA), the event will run until May 9 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The announcement was made by SEMS-Global USA and Asia Pacific President and Group Managing Director Meherun N. Islam at a press conference.

According to the organizers, the expo will serve as an integrated platform for buyers and sellers in the healthcare sector, promoting international knowledge and technology exchange. It aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the global market and positively impact the country’s healthcare, medical equipment, and health tourism industries. The event will also emphasize access to quality and affordable medical services through reliable doctors and hospitals.

The exhibition will feature the 17th Meditex Bangladesh International Expo, 10th Bangladesh Clinical Lab Expo, 12th Pharma Bangladesh International Expo, and 9th International Health Tourism and Services Expo. Over 90 companies from more than 15 countries will participate, with international seminars planned alongside the exhibitions.

The government has officially changed the name of Shaheed M. Mansur Ali Medical College in Sirajganj to Sirajganj Medical College. The decision was announced on Tuesday through a notification issued by the Health Education and Family Welfare Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The order, issued by the authority of the President, states that the new name takes effect immediately.

According to the notification signed by Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Secretary of the Health Education and Family Welfare Division, relevant authorities have been instructed to make necessary administrative and academic adjustments following the name change. The directive ensures that all institutional activities align with the new designation.

The renaming marks an official administrative update for the government medical institution in Sirajganj, with immediate implementation across all departments and records.

Two Secondary School Certificate (SSC) candidates in Bhola’s Charfassion fell ill due to extreme heat while taking their exam at the Charfassion Government TB Model Secondary School center. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in room number two of the school’s southern dormitory, where the students, identified as Sanjida and Samia, became sick because there were no fans in the exam room. They were taken to Charfassion Upazila Health Complex for treatment. One student was discharged after primary care, while the other remained under treatment.

Parents of several students expressed anger over the lack of fans in the exam rooms and urged authorities to install them immediately. Acting head teacher Taslima Begum stated that the dormitory rooms have good ventilation through windows and denied that the absence of fans caused illness. Charfassion Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rumana Afroze said arrangements would be made to install fans in rooms where they are missing.

The incident has drawn attention to the inadequate facilities at examination centers during the ongoing heatwave in the region.

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.