Bangladesh’s Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid has directed all ministries to swiftly implement the ‘Joint Declaration’ on preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Speaking at the third inter-ministerial meeting in Dhaka, he emphasized expanding sports facilities, improving road safety, and considering tax exemptions for health-promoting institutions such as gyms and clubs. The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), was chaired by Health Services Secretary Saidur Rahman.

The plan involves 35 ministries working together to reduce NCD-related premature deaths through time-bound action plans, stronger coordination, and institutional training on healthy lifestyles. Key measures include stricter enforcement of tobacco and food safety laws, promoting smoke-free religious sites, and mandating health-friendly urban planning. Proposals also include higher taxes on sugary drinks and unhealthy foods, and free airtime for public health messages.

Officials said the integrated approach—combining policy, law, infrastructure, and awareness—will be crucial to achieving sustainable progress in public health and reducing the country’s growing NCD burden.

Maulana Faridul Islam, a 35-year-old Islamic scholar and teacher, died after suffering a brain stroke while delivering a sermon at a Tafsirul Quran gathering in Gobindaganj on Saturday night. Witnesses said he collapsed on stage shortly after beginning his speech as the third speaker of the event. He was immediately given first aid and later transferred to a private hospital in Rangpur, where he passed away on Monday morning after two days of treatment.

Faridul Islam was a resident of Khamar Gobindapur village in Gaibandha Sadar upazila and served as a religious teacher at Mahimaganj Ideal Academic School as well as the imam of Ghoshpra Jame Mosque. He is survived by his wife and a two-and-a-half-year-old child. His sudden death has cast a pall of grief over his family, students, and the local community, who remembered him as a dedicated teacher and preacher.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has voiced deep concern over the rising contamination of food products in Bangladesh, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated national action to protect public health. Chairing a high-level meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna, Yunus called on ministries, regulatory agencies, and universities to jointly address the crisis through immediate and long-term measures. He instructed all relevant departments to submit written proposals within a week outlining steps to combat food contamination.

The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) presented alarming data showing widespread presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and antibiotics in food and water samples. UNICEF estimates that 35 million Bangladeshi children are affected by lead exposure, while WHO data indicates that one in ten children suffers from foodborne illness annually. Officials also highlighted unregulated antibiotic use in poultry farms and the presence of toxic residues in fish and dairy products.

Experts warned that unchecked contamination threatens both child development and national health security. The government plans to launch a ten-year strategy to reduce lead exposure and strengthen food safety monitoring across sectors.

Dr. Dhanadeb Barman, a physician at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, has submitted an unconditional apology following a public altercation with the Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Md. Abu Zafar. The apology came in response to a show-cause notice issued after the incident, which occurred during the DG’s inspection visit to the hospital on December 6.

According to hospital officials, Dr. Barman responded formally to the notice, though details of his written explanation were not disclosed. The confrontation, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, showed both parties engaging in a heated exchange over hospital management, staffing shortages, and service quality. The DG had reportedly ordered Dr. Barman’s suspension during the incident.

The episode has sparked debate within the medical community about workplace stress, administrative accountability, and communication between senior officials and frontline doctors. The DGHS has yet to announce whether further disciplinary action will follow or if the apology will close the matter.

A new study published in the journal *Pediatrics* has found that children who begin using smartphones before the age of 12 face significantly higher risks of depression, obesity, and sleep disturbances. The research, part of the U.S.-based Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, tracked more than 10,000 participants aged 9 to 16 over several years. Findings show that early smartphone users were 30% more likely to experience depression, 40% more likely to develop obesity, and 60% more likely to suffer from poor sleep compared to peers without phones.

Researchers noted that while smartphones can aid communication and safety, excessive use at a young age may disrupt mental, physical, and social development. The study suggests that prolonged screen exposure reduces physical activity, alters eating habits, and interferes with melatonin production, worsening sleep quality. Experts recommend delaying smartphone introduction until after age 12 to support healthier cognitive and emotional growth.

The findings add to growing global concern about digital exposure among children and may influence future parental guidelines and education policies.

A daylong free medical camp organized by the Munnu Welfare Foundation in Manikganj provided healthcare and medicine to 2,000 underprivileged residents. The event took place on Saturday, December 6, at the Ghosta Government Primary School grounds in Putail under Sadar upazila. Patients received medical consultations, diagnostic services, and essential medicines at no cost.

The camp was inaugurated by Afroza Khanam Rita, adviser to the BNP chairperson and chairperson of Munnu Group of Industries. She stated that many residents of Manikganj cannot access hospitals due to distance or financial hardship, prompting the foundation to bring quality healthcare directly to their communities. Senior officials from Munnu Medical College and Hospital, including Principal Professor Dr. Abdul Karim and Director Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmed Amin, were present at the event.

Organizers said similar initiatives would continue to ensure rural populations receive timely medical attention and preventive care, reducing the burden on urban hospitals.

Nestlé Bangladesh successfully organized the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) Luminary Summit on June 20–21, bringing together local and international health researchers, pediatricians, and policymakers. The two-day scientific workshop focused on the latest findings in human milk oligosaccharides and their role in improving child health and nutrition.

The event featured interactive group discussions, case studies, and expert exchanges aimed at translating scientific insights into practical applications. Dr. Randy Urtula, a renowned pediatrician from the Philippines, highlighted the importance of HMOs in strengthening immunity, supporting gut health, and promoting overall child development. Participants expressed renewed interest in applying HMO research to local health initiatives.

The summit concluded with a collective call to enhance scientific collaboration and apply HMO-related research to improve public health outcomes in Bangladesh. Organizers emphasized that such knowledge-sharing platforms are vital for advancing education, innovation, and sustainable health improvement in the country.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia underwent a successful endoscopy on Friday afternoon at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital. According to her medical board, the procedure effectively stopped internal bleeding in her stomach. The process was carried out under strict medical supervision, and her condition remains stable though unchanged.

Plans to transfer the 80-year-old leader to London for advanced treatment were postponed due to a technical fault in the special air ambulance provided by the Amir of Qatar. A replacement German-made air ambulance is expected to arrive in Dhaka by Saturday, with her departure now tentatively scheduled for Sunday. BNP leaders confirmed that a team of specialist doctors and close family members will accompany her.

Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalized for nearly two weeks, suffers from multiple chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications. The medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, continues to coordinate with foreign specialists from China and the UK for her ongoing care.

A day-long free medical camp titled “Shaheed Kamrul Free Medical Camp 2025” was held at Jahangirnagar University (JU) on Friday, organized by the university unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir. The camp, which began at 9 a.m. at the TSC premises, aimed to provide affordable and quality healthcare services to students. Due to overwhelming participation, the event extended beyond its scheduled 5 p.m. closing time.

JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Kamrul Ahsan inaugurated the camp and commended the initiative, urging other student organizations to undertake similar welfare activities. Shibir’s JU unit president, Muhibur Rahman Muhib, stated that the camp sought to bridge healthcare accessibility gaps faced by students due to financial or time constraints. Around 5,000 students and community members received medical consultations and free medicines.

University officials, including pro-vice-chancellors and faculty members, visited the camp, praising its contribution to student welfare. Organizers distributed small gifts such as pens and notepads to registered participants, reinforcing the event’s community-oriented spirit.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed medical technologists and pharmacists to withdraw their ongoing strike and return to work immediately. The ministry expressed concern that the work stoppage, initiated to demand implementation of the 10th grade pay scale, has disrupted essential healthcare services and caused suffering to patients. In a statement signed by Deputy Chief Information Officer Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, the ministry noted that relevant government bodies, including the Directorate General of Health Services and the Ministry of Public Administration, are already taking positive steps to address the workers’ demands. The ministry urged the strikers to allow time for the resolution process and warned that continuing the strike would be considered a public interest violation. It also cautioned that legal action could be taken against those who persist in halting critical services, emphasizing that patient care must not be compromised for any reason.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has warned that the unnecessary use of antibiotics in low-cost poultry production is disproportionately harming poor communities. Speaking as chief guest at a British High Commission event in Dhaka titled 'Fleming Fund Legacy in Bangladesh: Tackling AMR through One Health Approach', she emphasized that preventive measures and food safety are the most effective ways to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Akhter called for strict enforcement of zero-tolerance policies against antibiotic misuse and adherence to WTO standards to ensure safe food in imports and exports. She also stressed that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) requires not only food production but also proper regulation of antibiotic and pesticide use in agriculture and livestock. The UK’s Fleming Fund has been supporting Bangladesh since 2020 in strengthening AMR surveillance through the One Health approach. Officials from the British High Commission, FAO, and various government departments attended the event.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has urged strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against the misuse and overuse of antibiotics to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Bangladesh. Speaking at an event titled ‘Fleming Fund Legacy in Bangladesh: Tackling AMR through One Health Approach,’ organized by the British High Commission in Dhaka, she emphasized the importance of ensuring food safety in line with WTO guidelines. Akhter highlighted that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger, requires not only food production but also responsible use of antibiotics and pesticides in agriculture and livestock sectors. She noted that poor communities suffer most from the misuse of antibiotics in cheap poultry production. The adviser praised the UK government’s Fleming Fund for strengthening AMR surveillance and raising awareness among farmers, veterinarians, and field officers. She called for integrated efforts across human health, fisheries, livestock, and agriculture sectors under the One Health framework to ensure safe food and responsible antimicrobial use.

Nutrition experts have cautioned that keeping kneaded wheat dough in the refrigerator for extended periods can be harmful to health. Although refrigeration slows fermentation, it does not stop it completely, allowing yeast to continue producing carbon dioxide and acids. This process can alter the dough’s taste, making it sour or bitter, and may lead to bacterial growth. When stored for more than 24 hours, gluten begins to break down, resulting in sticky, dense dough and hard bread. Consuming such dough can cause digestive issues including bloating, indigestion, and acidity. Additionally, prolonged storage reduces essential vitamins and minerals, lowering the nutritional value of the bread. Experts also warn that the starch in old yeast dough breaks down faster, potentially causing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels, posing risks for diabetic or glucose-sensitive individuals. Proper storage methods are recommended to maintain freshness and safety.

A team of specialist doctors from the United Kingdom is arriving in Dhaka today to evaluate the health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been under intensive care at Evercare Hospital since November 23. Her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member, Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, confirmed the development, stating that the UK experts will review her condition and, if deemed transferable, the medical board will decide on sending her abroad for advanced treatment. The multidisciplinary medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, includes doctors from Bangladesh, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The team has been closely monitoring Khaleda Zia’s condition, with all decisions being guided strictly by the medical board’s recommendations. The BNP leader’s health has been a matter of national concern, and her treatment plan continues to be coordinated among local and foreign specialists.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2024, bringing the global total to 40.8 million living with the virus. Around 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes during the same period. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that global HIV prevention efforts are facing a critical moment due to declining international funding and stagnating prevention programs. The organization noted that stigma, discrimination, and legal barriers continue to prevent vulnerable groups from accessing essential services. WHO also highlighted the approval of lenacapavir, a new twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, as a major breakthrough for those unable to take daily medication. However, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition warned that funding cuts could deprive 2.5 million people of PrEP access in 2024. WHO urged governments to integrate HIV services into primary healthcare, increase local investment, and protect the rights of at-risk populations to sustain progress toward ending AIDS.