An emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign began on Sunday across 540 centers under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). The month-long program, running from April 12 to May 11, 2026, aims to vaccinate 402,456 children aged six months to under five years. The campaign was inaugurated at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium, with Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain as chief guest and State Minister for Road Transport and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib as special guest. DSCC Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam presided over the event, attended by representatives from UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

The health minister said coordinated efforts could control measles and other infectious diseases, noting that similar programs had already started in 18 districts. He thanked UNICEF and WHO for their support and urged citizens to remain alert against dengue. The state minister described the rising measles cases as alarming and called on the media to raise awareness among working parents. DSCC officials emphasized reaching every child through community-level awareness.

Following the inauguration, officials visited the Khilgaon Maternity Center to inspect vaccination activities and participate in a cleanliness drive.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) launched the 'Emergency Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign 2026' on Sunday across 599 centers in its 10 regions. The program, running until May 11, aims to vaccinate around 500,000 children aged six months to five years. The campaign was inaugurated in the capital’s Korail area, with State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit as chief guest and DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan as special guest.

According to the health ministry, the vaccination drive initially began in 17 upazilas and four city corporations, with a nationwide rollout planned from April 20. DNCC has set up 54 permanent and 502 temporary centers, along with 35 evening and eight Friday centers, to ensure wide coverage. A total of 594 vaccinators, 650 volunteers, and 203 supervisors are engaged in the campaign.

DNCC officials urged all parents to bring their children to designated centers for immunization. The DNCC administrator also mentioned plans to convert the Mohakhali DNCC COVID Hospital into a general hospital to expand healthcare services using existing infrastructure.

In Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah, 23 people including women, children, and elderly residents were injured after being bitten by rabid dogs over a 24-hour period from Friday to Saturday morning. The attacks occurred in several areas including Nishchintapur, Madhuganj, and Dhakalepra. Victims received treatment at Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex and local clinics, but the absence of rabies vaccines at the health center left many in distress.

Local residents reported that two aggressive dogs began attacking people across the town on Friday morning. Among the injured were a tea seller, pedestrians, and several children. Residents managed to capture one of the dogs on Friday night, but the other remained at large. Acting health officer Dr. Arun Kumar confirmed that 22 dog-bite victims and one cat-bite victim sought treatment, and due to the vaccine shortage, they were advised to obtain vaccines privately.

Kaliganj Upazila Executive Officer Rezwana Nahid said vaccines were purchased from the market for victims who approached her, and assured that the shortage at the hospital would be resolved soon.

Medical services at the Camellia Duncan Foundation Hospital in Shamshernagar, Kamalganj, Moulvibazar have remained suspended for 15 days following the death of sixth-grade student Oishi Rabidas. The 50-bed hospital, established in 1994 and serving workers from 36 tea estates owned by Duncan Brothers, has been closed since March 27. As a result, over one hundred thousand tea workers and their families are deprived of healthcare, with several reportedly dying without treatment. Many are now forced to seek costly care at government hospitals.

Local health officials confirmed that patient pressure has increased at nearby government facilities. Tea worker leaders claim three workers have died in the past week due to lack of treatment. An English delegation has visited the site, but hospital operations have not resumed. Duncan Brothers’ coordinator said a team from England is handling the issue, while the Kamalganj Upazila administration has pledged to take steps to reopen the hospital.

The hospital was shut down after workers vandalized it on March 26, following allegations of negligence in Oishi Rabidas’s death.

The Osmaninagar Upazila Health Complex in Sylhet has not yet opened a dedicated measles corner due to the absence of required administrative approval. Although hospitals were instructed to set up separate corners for measles cases, the facility remains pending approval. Since late March, only four suspected measles patients have been identified in the upazila, with two samples sent to the National Polio and Measles-Rubella Laboratory in Dhaka and two still under testing. No confirmed measles cases or related deaths have been reported so far.

Health officials stated that preventive measures have been strengthened for suspected patients, and vaccination activities have been expanded. A measles vaccination campaign is scheduled for April 20, with parents advised to remain alert. Sample collection from symptomatic patients continues across the upazila. Doctors emphasized that measles is highly contagious and that infected or symptomatic children should be isolated to prevent spread.

Separately, a One Stop Service Center for senior citizens has been launched at the same health complex to provide faster and prioritized medical services, inaugurated on January 15 by the Sylhet Civil Surgeon.

BNP leader and Qatar expatriate Nurul Mostafa Khokon has donated Tk 1.2 million from his personal funds to renovate the Sandwip Upazila Health Complex in Chattogram. The initiative aims to address long-standing issues such as poor sanitation, lack of seating for patients, and inadequate cleanliness. The donation will fund repainting, toilet repairs, installation of 100 chairs, and the appointment of a full-time cleaner. A representative has already been sent to assess the hospital’s needs.

The initiative began after Khokon attended a parliamentary session where the health minister urged wealthy citizens to assist in improving healthcare facilities due to limited government funds. Khokon immediately pledged to support the renovation of the neglected Sandwip hospital. Local residents and BNP leaders have praised his humanitarian gesture, describing it as a model for others.

Health officials said the contribution will help improve patient services and working conditions for staff. The hospital, long plagued by staff shortages and poor infrastructure, is expected to see significant improvement once the renovation is complete.

Bangladesh has expanded its special measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign to four major city corporations starting Sunday, April 12, 2026. The program will cover both city corporations in Dhaka, as well as Mymensingh and Barishal City Corporations. According to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the campaign aims to vaccinate 1,219,957 children aged six months to five years in these urban areas. The nationwide rollout is scheduled to begin on April 20, 2026.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the special vaccination drive on April 5, initially targeting 30 upazilas across 18 districts where measles infections were most severe. The campaign prioritizes regions with higher infection rates and includes all children aged six to 59 months, regardless of previous vaccination status. Vaccinations will be administered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on weekly holidays.

Originally planned for May 3, the nationwide campaign start date was advanced to April 20 to accelerate measles prevention efforts across the country.

Masuma Sultana, a 30-year-old woman from Dighaba village in Tok Union of Kapasia upazila, Gazipur, gave birth to five babies—three boys and two girls—through a cesarean section at PG Hospital in Dhaka two days ago. The operation was conducted under the supervision of prominent physician Dr. Ruhul Amin. The mother and newborns were later transferred to Module Community Hospital in Rayed Magartek, Kapasia, for postnatal care and were taken home on Friday night in a joyful atmosphere.

According to hospital officials, the surgery was highly risky but was successfully completed due to the expertise of the medical team. All five babies and their mother are currently healthy under continuous medical observation. Dr. Ruhul Amin, who previously gained attention for separating conjoined twins, oversaw the entire process.

The babies’ father, Kajol Mia, a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, expressed happiness but noted financial challenges in raising the children. Local residents gathered at the hospital to see the rare quintuplets, and the family requested prayers for the mother and newborns’ continued well-being.

A health report published on April 10, 2026, warns that consuming excessive oil in daily cooking can lead to serious health risks. The report highlights that oily foods increase calorie intake, which contributes to weight gain and obesity. It also notes that excessive oil consumption can reduce insulin effectiveness, raising the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. The article emphasizes that overuse of oil in cooking poses a significant threat to overall health.

The report outlines several specific health problems associated with high oil intake, including fatty liver, fatigue, heart disease, and digestive issues such as gas and acidity. It explains that trans fats and saturated fats raise bad cholesterol (LDL), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The article advises avoiding fried foods and limiting oil use in cooking.

To reduce health risks, the report recommends including more vegetables and fruits in daily meals, avoiding deep-fried foods, and choosing healthier oils such as olive or mustard oil for cooking.

Twenty students in Madaripur fell ill after consuming government-provided tiffin meals, prompting the district administration to form a five-member investigation committee. The committee, headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Jewel Ahmed, was instructed to submit its report within three working days. The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 8, when students in several areas of Sadar upazila ate bread and eggs distributed under the government feeding program by a contractor named Samata Traders.

Soon after eating, students began suffering from stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Several students from Pokrar Char Government Primary School were hospitalized in serious condition, causing panic among parents. The affected schools include Pokrar Char, Razar Char, Haujdi, and Kordi Government Primary Schools, among others. District Primary Education Officer Md. Fazle Elahi stated that expired food items were responsible for the illness and that higher authorities had been informed.

Samata Traders’ operations manager AFM Ahasanul Habib said the company supplies tiffin to 89,151 students in 723 schools across five upazilas and promised greater caution in the future.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. M A Muhit, announced that the government plans to increase the national health budget fivefold in line with its election manifesto. He made the statement on Wednesday at the launch of the ‘Comprehensive Eye Care Services’ project held at Six Seasons Hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan. The project is jointly implemented by Sightsavers and Gildan Activewear.

Dr. Muhit described the country’s health sector as suffering from unprecedented corruption and mismanagement, calling the reform of the broken system a major challenge. He noted that budget allocations often remain underutilized due to limited capacity, which requires urgent improvement. The minister, who has long worked in blindness prevention, expressed personal emotion about returning to his field through this initiative.

The project will provide eye screening, cataract surgery, medicines, and glasses for garment workers and marginalized communities in Savar’s Pathalia and Dhamsana unions, along with school-based eye health and awareness programs. Dr. Muhit emphasized that access to healthcare is a citizen’s right and urged industrial entrepreneurs to support similar initiatives.

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight bound for Chennai returned to the boarding bridge at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after a passenger became seriously ill just before takeoff. The BG-363 flight was scheduled to depart at 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday. While the aircraft was on the runway preparing for departure, cabin crew informed the pilot about the passenger’s sudden illness. The pilot immediately contacted air traffic control, canceled the takeoff, and requested permission to return.

Air traffic control informed the pilot that two military aircraft were about to land and that the flight could return once they had landed. The pilot confirmed that ground services were ready and that oxygen was being administered to the passenger onboard. After the military aircraft landed, BG-363 was cleared to return to the boarding bridge, where the passenger was safely disembarked and given medical assistance.

According to airport authorities, the flight resumed its journey at 1:10 p.m. and landed in Chennai at 3:07 p.m. Biman Bangladesh Airlines stated that passenger safety and emergency medical support were given top priority.

A five-year-old child suffering from fever was mistakenly administered a dog vaccine at Shahrasthi Upazila Health Complex in Chandpur on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The incident occurred in the emergency department when two patients arrived simultaneously—one with fever and another with a dog bite. The on-duty doctor issued separate prescriptions, but the sub-assistant community medical officer (SACMO) Abu Yusuf injected the wrong vaccine without verifying the prescription.

Following the error, a dispute arose between the patient’s guardians and hospital staff, drawing attention from local and national media. Abu Yusuf admitted the mistake, describing it as unintentional and assured that the child faced no health risk. He expressed regret for the incident.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Aklima Jahan confirmed awareness of the matter, stating that although the vaccine was given by mistake, it posed no danger to the patient. She added that the responsible SACMO would be formally asked to explain his negligence. The affected family has reportedly filed a complaint with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque emphasized the need for science-based, evidence-driven, and sustainable initiatives to prevent drug abuse. He made the remarks while joining virtually as chief guest at a seminar titled “Youth Voice for Evidence-Based Prevention: Prevent, Don’t Promote,” held in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on Wednesday morning. The event was jointly organized by the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) Bangladesh Chapter and Dhaka Ahsania Mission to mark World Health Day.

The seminar, chaired by ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter Chairman Dr. M A Mohit Kamal, featured speakers including Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, Additional Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control Mohammad Golam Azam, and Professor Dr. Mehzabin Haque of Dhaka University. Speakers highlighted that drug abuse is not only a personal health issue but also a major threat to social stability and future generations. They stressed the importance of combining traditional methods with scientific and evidence-based strategies.

Participants also underscored the need to make mental health and rehabilitation services more accessible and youth-friendly, reduce drug availability, and strengthen family and institutional roles in prevention. A youth declaration presented at the seminar recommended implementing science-based prevention programs.

A clash broke out between Dhaka University students and doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, leading to the suspension of emergency services. The incident began around 5:30 p.m. when a student seeking treatment was advised to buy a prescribed medicine from outside the hospital. After failing to find the medicine, the student returned with classmates, and an argument with on-duty doctors escalated into physical confrontation. Several people were injured, and the situation quickly spread tension across the hospital area.

Following the incident, intern doctors stopped emergency services, demanding workplace safety. Patients from across the country faced severe difficulties, with some waiting in ambulances for hours. Police arrived promptly and brought the situation under control. By evening, the hospital area remained tense as students gathered in protest.

Doctors stated that emergency services would remain closed until those responsible for the attack were punished and full security was ensured. Dhaka University’s assistant proctor confirmed that the university authorities were investigating the matter.