Dhaka District Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman has said that despite the rise in Bangladesh’s average life expectancy, awareness about elderly nutrition remains low among families and individuals. He made the remarks on January 29 during a discussion on ‘Elderly Nutrition and Nutrition During Disasters’ marking the final day of National Nutrition Week 2026 in Dhaka. The weeklong campaign, held from April 23 to 29, aimed to raise public awareness through various programs organized by the Civil Surgeon’s Office.

Dr. Rahman noted that the country’s average life expectancy has reached around 74 years, with elderly people now comprising about 10 percent of the population, projected to reach 20–21 percent by 2040–2050. He expressed concern that families often neglect the nutritional needs of older members, leading to health complications. He advised maintaining healthy eating habits, fostering social relationships, and ensuring intergenerational care to prevent isolation in old age.

The Civil Surgeon emphasized that improving nutrition requires joint efforts from families, educational and religious institutions, and the media. The office also conducted special programs for mothers, children, adolescents, orphans, and the elderly during the week.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh has issued a directive requiring prior approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) before commercial banks can open letters of credit (LCs) for importing supplement products. The circular, also endorsed by the central bank, was announced following a government notification issued on Wednesday.

According to the official notice, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2023, registration or prior approval from the DGDA is mandatory for the production, import, export, sale, and distribution of dietary, herbal, nutritional, medical, or therapeutic supplements. Violating these provisions constitutes a punishable offense. The directive follows incidents where some importers brought in supplements without approval, leading customs authorities to halt clearance. Subsequent legal proceedings reached the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, which allowed conditional clearance under the law.

To ensure public safety and proper enforcement, the DGDA has requested that no LC or telegraphic transfer be opened for supplement imports without valid registration or prior authorization.

The Directorate General of Health Education in Bangladesh has announced that every new medical student will plant a tree on their first day of class in the 2025–26 academic year. The initiative will be part of a centrally organized orientation event connecting all medical colleges online, followed by individual welcome programs at each institution. The program aims to instill environmental responsibility among future doctors while marking the beginning of their medical education.

According to Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of the Directorate, the tree-planting initiative was introduced last year and received positive response. The broader discussion also covered government efforts to improve medical education quality, including infrastructure upgrades for older colleges and expansion projects to accommodate more students. Currently, Bangladesh has 37 public and 112 total medical colleges offering MBBS degrees.

The initiative reflects the government’s emphasis on combining academic development with social and environmental awareness among medical students, aligning with national goals for sustainable education and healthcare improvement.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the northern region, has successfully undergone surgery. The NCP media cell confirmed the news on Tuesday night. Earlier in the day, Alam was taken to the hospital around 2:45 p.m. after experiencing sudden abdominal pain.

Doctors discovered stones in his bladder and decided to perform surgery. His younger brother, Sahadat Hossain Sakib, provided these details to the media. The operation was reported to have been completed successfully, and Alam’s condition was described as stable following the procedure.

The report did not include further information about his current recovery process or the hospital where the surgery took place.

Authorities in Barishal fined eight diagnostic centers and hospitals a total of Tk 282,000 for using expired testing kits and operating without required certificates. The operation took place on Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Bandar Road area near Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. The drive was led by Apurba Adhikari, Deputy Director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

According to the agency, the National Security Intelligence (NSI) had been monitoring several diagnostic centers in the city and reported various irregularities to the consumer rights authority. Following this, a joint operation was conducted at multiple facilities. Al-Aqsa Hospital and Diagnostic Center, Health Aid Medical Services, Nova Medical Services, Islamiya Digital Diagnostic Center, Barishal City General Hospital, Gain Diagnostic and Physiotherapy Center, New Babylon Medical Services, and Rongdhonu Diagnostic Center were fined varying amounts.

The fines were imposed for confirmed violations, including the use of expired medical kits and lack of proper certification, as part of efforts to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

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.