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.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be spreading faster than initially anticipated. At least 131 people have died so far, and more than 513 suspected cases have been reported as of last Tuesday. A WHO representative, Dr. Ann Ancia, said investigations show the virus has reached new areas, while a death has also been confirmed in neighboring Uganda.

A mathematical model from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis in London suggests that many infections remain undetected, possibly pushing the real number of cases beyond one thousand. The Red Cross cautioned that without rapid identification of patients and improved public awareness, the situation could quickly spiral out of control. Following an emergency meeting, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the outbreak’s scale and speed. The strain currently spreading has no effective vaccine, though WHO is assessing whether other treatments might offer protection.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease among cattle has been reported in several upazilas of Kurigram district, causing severe concern among farmers and cattle rearers. Over the past two weeks, twelve cows have died from foot-and-mouth disease and two from lumpy skin disease in Kurigram Sadar, Ulipur, and Rajarhat. Hundreds more cattle have been infected, prompting the Department of Livestock to begin field operations and awareness campaigns in affected areas.

Officials have advised farmers on treatment and hygiene measures, including cleaning infected areas with antiseptic solutions and preventing mosquito bites that spread lumpy skin disease. The outbreak comes just before Eid al-Adha, when local farmers traditionally raise cattle for sale. Due to restrictions, infected cattle cannot be taken to markets, and even recovered animals are fetching lower prices because of weakened health.

The district livestock office reported that 116,000 cows and 180,000 goats and sheep have been prepared for Eid markets. Despite the outbreak, officials believe the overall cattle market will remain stable and are monitoring markets to prevent the sale of infected animals.

Students at Rajshahi University and Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur are struggling to access adequate medical care due to severe shortages of doctors, equipment, and essential medicines. The Rajshahi University Medical Center, established in 1958, currently operates with only 21 doctors against 36 sanctioned posts, lacking specialists such as gynecologists and pathologists. Students report long waits, limited medicine supplies, and inadequate emergency services. University officials acknowledge the crisis, citing chronic understaffing and administrative delays in recruitment.

At Begum Rokeya University, the medical center remains at a primary level even after 17 years of establishment, with only four doctors and one nurse serving nearly 9,000 people. The center lacks 24-hour service, modern diagnostic tools, and specialist doctors. Students complain of having to seek treatment outside the campus at additional cost. University authorities admit the need for infrastructure expansion and secondary-level medical facilities to meet growing demand.

Both universities have pledged to improve medical services, but immediate action remains uncertain as recruitment and modernization plans are still pending.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that a Central Emergency Alarm System will be introduced in government hospitals in Dhaka to enhance the safety of doctors and healthcare workers. The initiative will begin with Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. The minister shared the plan on Tuesday at the Central Medical Stores Depot in Tejgaon during a ceremony to hand over donated ventilators and other medical equipment.

Hossain explained that the system, referred to as a 'Code Blue' or emergency alarm, aims to ensure rapid security support during critical situations in hospitals. Additionally, the government plans to establish a separate police camp in the Mohakhali area to strengthen security for health-related facilities.

Regarding the new medical equipment, the minister said that ten district hospitals will each receive a pediatric ventilator for their ICU units, which are expected to be inaugurated within a week after Eid-ul-Azha.

Global health experts have warned that the world’s capacity to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks is weakening. The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) issued a report on Monday stating that outbreaks are becoming more frequent and severe, while investments in pandemic preparedness are failing to keep pace with rising risks. The warning came amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The report highlighted that climate crises, armed conflicts, and geopolitical divisions are worsening the threat of disease spread, while global cooperation is being undermined by political and commercial interests. The World Health Organization (WHO) convened an emergency scientific consultation to guide vaccine and treatment research. WHO officials also reported shortages of protective equipment in Kinshasa, with aid groups such as the International Rescue Committee and Médecins Sans Frontières assisting response efforts.

The GPMB urged world leaders to finalize a pandemic treaty ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments and to establish a permanent independent monitoring system. It warned that continued erosion of trust and cooperation could leave every country more vulnerable to the next pandemic.

At least ten people, including children and elderly residents, were injured in stray dog attacks over two days in several areas of Saghata upazila in Gaibandha district. Locals reported that packs of aggressive stray dogs have been roaming freely in markets, roads, and neighborhoods, disrupting daily life and spreading fear. Many victims had to travel to Gaibandha or Bogura to receive rabies vaccinations due to the lack of supply at local facilities.

Residents and business owners expressed growing concern over the uncontrolled stray dog population, noting frequent attacks in crowded market areas. The chairman of Bharatkhali Union Parishad confirmed awareness of the incidents and said the matter had been reported to the upazila administration. Health officials acknowledged that the Saghata Upazila Health Complex has had no rabies vaccine supply for a year, leaving patients in distress.

The upazila livestock officer stated that a special team has been formed to control the situation. Plans include deploying a dog-catching team and initiating vaccination drives for stray dogs to prevent further incidents.

A ten-month-old girl named Wasenat died after a lychee seed got stuck in her throat in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred in the West Para area of Bomubilchhari Union. Wasenat was the daughter of local veterinarian Abu Noman Osmani. Family members said the child was eating lychees with her father when the seed became lodged in her throat, causing her to struggle for breath. Despite attempts to remove the seed, the family rushed her to Lama Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead.

Later that night, around 9 p.m., Wasenat was buried at the local social cemetery after funeral prayers at the Bomubilchhari Union Parishad field. The tragic death cast a pall of grief over the family and the surrounding community.

The report highlights the sudden and devastating nature of the accident, which deeply affected residents of the area.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The outbreak, centered in the eastern Ituri province, has so far resulted in about 246 suspected infections and 80 deaths. WHO reported that the virus, identified as the Bundibugyo strain, has no approved treatment or vaccine. Eight cases have been confirmed in laboratories, and infections have spread to Bunia, Mongwalu, Rwampara, and even the capital Kinshasa. Two confirmed cases have also been detected in neighboring Uganda.

WHO warned that the outbreak could expand rapidly due to population movement, urban transmission, and limited healthcare infrastructure. The organization advised DR Congo and Uganda to establish emergency operations centers to track and isolate cases. Neighboring Rwanda has tightened border health checks, while the U.S. CDC plans to deploy more staff and has issued travel warnings for Ituri province.

WHO urged countries not to impose travel or trade restrictions, emphasizing that such measures lack scientific justification. The agency noted uncertainty about the full extent of infections and geographic spread.

The Narayanganj District Council has extended financial assistance to Sahalam Islam, a pickup van driver injured during the mass uprising of 2024. Sahalam was shot by police while participating in an anti-discrimination protest in the Rayerbag area on August 17, leaving him with multiple bullet wounds and two permanently disabled fingers. Nearly two years after the incident, he remains unable to return to normal work and has been struggling to support his family. On Sunday, District Council Administrator Professor Mamun Mahmud handed him a donation check at the council office.

Sahalam became emotional while receiving the aid, expressing that he had long struggled to afford treatment and had fallen into debt. He said the council’s prompt support gave him hope to recover and resume work. Professor Mahmud stated that helping those who risked their lives during the movement was a moral duty and wished for Sahalam’s quick recovery.

The council’s assistance aims to ease Sahalam’s medical expenses and help him regain stability after months of hardship and surgeries that have yet to restore his full health.

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) organized a daylong free medical camp on the university campus on Sunday, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event offered 11 types of health services, including 10 free medical tests, and saw a heavy turnout of students throughout the day. The initiative was supported by the National Doctors Forum (NDF) Dhaka City South branch, aiming to provide quality healthcare and medical advice to students at no cost.

According to JAKSU General Secretary Abdul Alim Arif, this was the first large-scale free medical camp in the university’s history, designed to bring quality healthcare directly to students. Health and Environment Secretary Nur Mohammad said more than 30 experienced doctors provided free consultations and tests, making it one of the largest medical camps among public universities. Students expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting its importance for those facing financial constraints.

The camp included tests such as Hb%, RBS, HbA1c, TSH, Vitamin D, CRP, Troponin-I, Urine Strip Test, ECG, and USG, along with physiotherapy services. Organizers said the program effectively ensured access to essential healthcare for students.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member and Dhaka South secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud stated that negligence and suffering of patients in government hospitals will not be tolerated. He emphasized that ensuring healthcare for every citizen is a state responsibility. Dr. Masud made these remarks on Saturday, May 17, during the monthly coordination meeting of Community Health Care Providers (CHCP) at the Bauphal Upazila Health Complex auditorium, where he attended as the chief guest.

He urged all healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, to act responsibly and humanely so that no patient faces neglect or denial of service at hospitals or community clinics. Stressing transparency in the distribution of government-supplied medicines, he warned that any irregularity, corruption, or favoritism would face strict legal action. Dr. Masud added that efforts are ongoing to improve grassroots healthcare quality and accessibility for ordinary citizens.

The meeting was presided over by Bauphal Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Abdur Rauf, with local health officials and CHCPs in attendance.