Students of Sunamganj Medical College staged a road blockade on Tuesday morning demanding the immediate opening of the college hospital. The protest began around 10 a.m. in front of the college on the Sylhet–Sunamganj regional highway and continued for about an hour, causing traffic congestion on both sides of the road and significant suffering for commuters.

According to the students, the hospital was supposed to open in October 2025 but remains non-operational even in mid-2026. They said authorities continue to give excuses instead of fulfilling their commitment. Student representatives stated that without clinical classes, medical education cannot be complete and accused the administration of deceiving both students and local residents by starting the college without ensuring hospital facilities.

The students have been boycotting classes and demonstrating since June 21, demanding the hospital’s opening, proper academic activities, and adequate clinical training. They vowed to continue their movement until the hospital begins operations.

A report from Amar Desh Online on June 30, 2026, highlighted multiple factors that can lead to reduced memory and cognitive performance. The article noted that fatigue, stress, heavy workloads, post-COVID effects, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and thyroid disorders may temporarily impair brain function. Experts observed that such issues are increasingly common among young professionals.

Nutritionists identified dehydration as a major cause of declining memory and focus. Insufficient water intake can disrupt brain function, slow neural communication, and increase fatigue, making it harder to think or remember information. Prolonged dehydration may also contribute to premature aging and chronic health risks. Other causes include aging, sleep deprivation, vitamin B12 deficiency, head injuries, side effects of certain medications, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and brain infections or strokes.

The report advised maintaining brain health through adequate hydration, balanced nutrition, regular sleep, stress management, and physical exercise. Persistent or worsening memory problems should be evaluated by a physician.

The medical emergency in the war-torn Gaza Strip is worsening, with the region’s health ministry reporting a sharp decline in access to treatment outside Gaza. According to ministry data, under a U.S.-led agreement reached last October, about 21,000 people were supposed to receive permission to leave Gaza for medical care. In reality, fewer than 7,500 have been allowed to travel, representing only 36 percent of the target.

Roughly one-third of those expected to travel were emergency patients, each entitled to two companions. Many of these patients remain trapped in Gaza without the necessary permits, facing life-threatening delays in treatment. Nasser Hospital continues to operate under extreme strain, hampered by severe shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and essential supplies.

The crisis has been compounded by Israeli military actions in Khan Younis, where ambulance vehicles were damaged during operations, and Nasser Hospital was raided twice. Health authorities report that the damaged ambulances, marked by bullet holes and fire damage, have drastically reduced the ability to transport and treat the wounded promptly.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe, healthy, and tobacco-free environment for citizens. To achieve this, DNCC plans to implement the amended Tobacco Control Act 2026 effectively, enhance public awareness, and coordinate with relevant stakeholders. The announcement came during a capacity-building workshop titled “Role of DNCC in Ensuring a Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Environment,” held on June 29 at the DNCC conference room in collaboration with Dhaka Ahsania Mission.

At the workshop, DNCC’s Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury presided over the session, while Shariful Islam, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, presented the keynote paper. He highlighted the current tobacco use situation in Bangladesh, the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, and challenges in enforcing tobacco control laws. Speakers emphasized the importance of awareness, law enforcement, and joint efforts to build a healthy city.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission pledged technical support for training, awareness campaigns, and media materials, while DNCC will implement field-level activities to create a smoke-free urban environment.

A growing number of unlicensed private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers are operating across Cumilla city and surrounding areas, according to a report published on June 29, 2026. Many of these facilities lack proper authorization, environmental clearance, and qualified medical staff, leading to widespread mismanagement and patient safety risks. Maternal healthcare is particularly affected, with reports of unsafe surgeries, unnecessary cesarean operations, and inadequate monitoring putting mothers and newborns in danger.

The Cumilla Civil Surgeon’s Office reported 483 registered medical facilities, though the actual number exceeds 700, with many operating without approval. Several institutions, including Satata Specialized Hospital and Cumilla Alif Hospital, have been fined for irregularities, while others resumed operations soon after closure. Officials cited manpower shortages as a barrier to regular inspections, though recent raids fined six institutions about 1 million taka.

Local journalists and environmental officials attributed the problem to weak monitoring, political interference, and the lure of profit in a growing healthcare market. Authorities acknowledged the challenge and pledged continued enforcement against unlicensed operations.

More than one million children in England required mental health care in 2024–2025, marking a 10 percent rise in a year and nearly double the figure from 2018–2019, according to BBC data. Anxiety was cited as the most common reason, accounting for 16 percent of all referrals. Suspected autism cases rose by nearly 50 percent to over 96,000, while applications for ADHD and Tourette syndrome increased by about one-quarter.

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza, in her annual report “Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services: 2024–25,” warned that over one-third of applicants are still waiting for treatment. More than 60,000 children have waited over two years, and fewer than one in five suspected autism cases received care, often after a year-long wait. She described the figures as severe and called for integrated support across health, education, and social care sectors.

Charity YoungMinds expressed deep concern over long delays, especially for Black, ethnic minority, and autistic children. Data also showed higher crisis referral rates among Black children and greater demand from poorer areas, highlighting persistent inequalities in access to mental health services.

More than 302,846 children in Barishal district are being administered Vitamin A Plus capsules as part of the national campaign launched on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The program was officially inaugurated at Uzirpur Upazila Health Complex by District Civil Surgeon Dr. Monjur I Elahi. The campaign is being conducted across 10 upazilas and 87 unions through 2,907 centers, with a monitoring committee formed under the district administration to ensure safety and success.

In Uzirpur upazila alone, 126 temporary and one permanent camp are distributing capsules to over 28,800 children. Children aged 6 to 11 months are receiving blue capsules containing 100,000 IU, while those aged 12 to 59 months are receiving red capsules containing 200,000 IU of Vitamin A. The event was attended by local health officials and representatives from the district administration.

Health officials and public representatives urged parents to bring their children to nearby centers to help prevent blindness and strengthen immunity through Vitamin A supplementation.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain announced that the city has completed all preparations to ensure no child is left out of the upcoming Vitamin A Plus campaign. Speaking at the inauguration of the capsule distribution program across 41 city wards on Sunday, he said Vitamin A plays a vital role in preventing malnutrition-related blindness, strengthening immunity, and supporting healthy physical growth.

According to the mayor, a total of 564,000 children aged 6–59 months will receive Vitamin A capsules through 1,321 centers in the city. Among them, about 92,000 children aged 6–11 months will receive blue capsules, while around 472,000 children aged 12–59 months will receive red capsules. Street children will also be included through mobile teams. He emphasized that children who received capsules within the past four to six months will not be given another dose.

Dr. Hossain urged parents to follow official instructions and bring their children to the designated centers so that no child misses this essential health service.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain told Parliament that the deaths of six newborns at Ad-Din Hospital in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on May 27 were caused by oxygen shortage and negligence. Speaking during the general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget, he said the hospital’s license was suspended to bring discipline to private healthcare institutions. The minister held the hospital’s owner responsible, citing mismanagement and the appointment of the owner’s wife as chief executive after the incident.

Responding to opposition criticism, Hossain said the government had only suspended the hospital’s license, not shut it down, and rejected comparisons with previous fire incidents at United Hospital and the Burn Unit, which he described as accidents. He emphasized that Ad-Din’s case involved negligence, not an accident, and described the lack of oxygen and medical response during the tragedy.

State Minister for Health Dr. M.A. Muhith also addressed Parliament, noting that 80 percent of healthcare costs in Bangladesh are paid out-of-pocket by patients. He said the new budget aims to rebuild the health system, ensure free and equitable care, and strengthen transparency and accountability in health management.

A ninth-grade student named Rafsan Sheikh, aged 16, died after being bitten by a venomous snake in Amritnagar village of Gunbaha Union, Boalmari upazila, Faridpur, on Saturday night, June 27, 2026. He was taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital after his condition worsened, where he died early Sunday while under treatment. The incident has cast grief over his family, classmates, and the local community.

According to family and local sources, Rafsan was bitten by the snake while returning indoors after washing his hands and feet outside. Instead of taking him to a hospital immediately, his family first took him to two traditional healers in nearby areas, where several hours were lost. Health officials later confirmed that the delay critically worsened his condition. Boalmari Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Nazmul Hasan stated that the local hospital had 45 antivenom doses in stock but the patient arrived too late for effective treatment.

Dr. Hasan urged the public to avoid wasting time with traditional methods and to seek hospital care immediately after any snakebite.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that Bangladesh currently has 26 million Vitamin A capsules in stock. He made the statement on Sunday, June 28, during the inauguration of the first round of the nationwide Vitamin A Plus campaign at the Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka. The minister said that any child who misses the capsule during the campaign will be able to receive it the following day at designated centers.

According to the minister, a total of 25.5 million children aged between six and 59 months across the country will receive Vitamin A capsules today. Children aged six to 11 months will be given a blue capsule, while those aged 12 to 59 months will receive a red high-dose capsule.

The campaign aims to ensure that all eligible children receive the supplement to prevent Vitamin A deficiency and related health issues, as indicated by the minister’s remarks.

An investigative report from Purana Dhaka’s Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital reveals that broker syndicates have taken control of patient services. Individuals like Jony Mia, who are not hospital employees, reportedly direct patients to private clinics and diagnostic centers in exchange for commissions. These brokers operate openly across wards, the emergency unit, and outpatient departments, exploiting patients seeking affordable care. Many patients are persuaded to undergo tests or even transfer to private facilities, often paying extra fees.

The hospital, which has 900 beds but accommodates up to 1,500 patients, faces severe overcrowding, staff shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure. Patients complain of long queues, unsanitary conditions, and pressure from brokers and some staff to use specific private services. Hospital authorities acknowledge the existence of these syndicates and confirm that joint forces recently detained 30 brokers. The director, Brigadier General ATMA Rustam, admitted the issue persists despite repeated crackdowns and cited proposals to expand facilities and improve services.

Authorities have requested government approval to increase capacity to 2,000 beds and construct new buildings to ease pressure on the aging hospital infrastructure.

A mobile court in Fulbari upazila of Dinajpur fined three diagnostic centers a total of 30,000 taka for irregularities. The operation took place on Saturday afternoon, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Ahmed Hasan. The fined institutions were Al-Shifa Advanced Medicare and Lab, Maa Diagnostic and Diabetic Corner, and New City Diagnostic Center.

According to the report, the mobile court was conducted following complaints received from various sources. During the inspection, inconsistencies were found in the documentation of the institutions, and defects were detected in their pathology testing equipment. As a result, fines were imposed on the three centers. The operation was carried out in the presence of Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Moshior Rahman and Upazila Family Planning Officer Hasanul Haque Banna.

The fines were collected immediately after the inspection, and the authorities indicated that such drives would continue to ensure compliance with health regulations in the area.

Saudi Arabia has imposed a travel ban on citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan as a precautionary step to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus. The decision also suspends visa issuance and entry into Saudi Arabia for travelers from these countries. According to a Gulf News report citing the Saudi Press Agency, the restriction applies to anyone who has stayed in any of the three nations within 21 days before entering Saudi Arabia, even if arriving through another country.

The Saudi Public Health Authority, known as Weqaya, stated that the move aims to protect public health and curb cross-border transmission of infectious diseases. The country has strengthened health screening, disease surveillance, and rapid response systems at entry points, particularly for travelers from neighboring countries of the affected regions.

Authorities confirmed that Saudi Arabia’s overall public health situation remains stable, with no suspected Ebola cases detected so far. Continuous monitoring of regional and international epidemic developments is underway, and the government affirmed readiness to implement all necessary health measures.

A national taskforce formed to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases carried out a special operation in Banani, Dhaka, on Friday to identify and destroy Aedes mosquito larvae. The drive, led by State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam, covered Banani’s 18, 21, and 24 number roads. During the operation, a construction site on Road 24 was fined Tk 50,000 under Section 269 of the Penal Code after larvae were found despite prior warnings.

Mir Shah Alam said the government’s goal was not to punish but to protect lives and build a dengue-free city, urging citizens to keep their surroundings clean and remove stagnant water every three days. He also announced that residents could collect larvicide tablets free of cost from Dhaka North City Corporation offices and called on media and real estate developers to strengthen awareness and cleanliness efforts.

Dhaka North City Corporation’s Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury reported that about 50 percent of inspected houses in Banani’s government quarters and nearby areas contained Aedes larvae, underscoring the need for greater public awareness during the ongoing three-month anti-dengue campaign.