Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain said the government aims to create equal opportunities for all citizens. He made the remarks on Friday, June 26, at the inauguration of a registration camp for the Mother and Child Assistance Program held at Dinajpur Municipal High School field. The minister emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s broader efforts toward social welfare and inclusivity.

During his speech, Dr. Hossain highlighted the importance of maternal health and nutrition, noting that childbirth at around 20 years of age generally ensures better health for both mother and child, while pregnancies after 35 may lead to complications. He also underscored the need for balanced nutrition during and after pregnancy to build a healthy and strong nation.

The minister added that family cards are being delivered directly to households, eliminating the need for citizens to visit offices. The event was presided over by District Commissioner Md. Rafiqul Islam and attended by several local officials.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the largest healthcare facility in Bangladesh, is struggling under extreme overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. A field visit on June 26, 2026, revealed patients lying on floors, stairways, and even beside toilets due to a lack of beds. In the children’s ward, rooms designed for fewer than 20 patients now hold up to six times that number. Dirty water, garbage, and foul odors fill the wards, while insects infest drawers and basins. Patients and their families endure long waits for tickets, tests, and consultations, often forced to buy medicines outside.

Hospital staff cite shortages of doctors, nurses, and equipment as key challenges. Out of 2,600 beds, more than 5,000 to 7,000 patients are admitted daily, with thousands more seeking outpatient care. One of two MRI machines is broken, and over 100 essential devices are out of order. Patients report harassment by brokers exploiting the crisis. The hospital director acknowledged the severe strain caused by excess patients and limited resources.

The situation has left many poor families feeling helpless, forced to accept substandard conditions as their only option for treatment.

Professor Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain stated that around 10.26 million people in Bangladesh are currently suffering from heart disease, with nearly 993,000 new cases emerging each year. He shared the information on Thursday at a financial aid event for congenital heart patients organized by the Patient Welfare Association at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M.A. Muhith attended as a special guest.

Officials highlighted that over a hundred heart disease patients die daily in the country. The Social Welfare Minister emphasized the need for public awareness alongside treatment to combat the crisis. He mentioned ongoing campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles, exercise, reduced salt and fat intake, and regular health checkups. The government has also launched special assistance packages for women and children with heart disease and allocated significant funds for complex patient support.

Dr. Muhith added that the government is modernizing the health sector to make cardiac care more accessible and affordable. He noted that about 283,800 people die annually from heart disease and related causes, and the National Institute is being equipped with advanced technology and specialist doctors.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain informed the National Parliament that Bangladesh records approximately 167,256 new cancer cases and 116,598 cancer-related deaths each year. He cited data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Globocan 2022 report, noting that around 316,417 patients are currently living with or undergoing treatment for cancer. The information was presented in a written reply during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister stated that breast and cervical cancers are most common among women, while lung and oral cancers are prevalent among men. To improve data accuracy, population-based and hospital-based cancer registries are being developed through the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital. He also announced that eight divisional government medical college hospitals are implementing projects to establish 100-bed cancer treatment units, expanding radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical oncology services.

These initiatives aim to decentralize cancer care and strengthen diagnostic and treatment capacity across Bangladesh, according to the minister’s parliamentary statement.

Bangladesh will hold its National Vitamin A Plus Campaign on June 28, aiming to administer Vitamin A capsules to approximately 24 million children across the country. The announcement was made by State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M A Muhith during a press conference at the ministry on June 25. The campaign will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., targeting children aged six to 59 months.

According to the ministry, children aged six to 11 months will receive blue capsules, while those aged 12 to 59 months will receive red ones. Any child missing the capsule on the main day will be covered the following day at the upazila level, and in remote areas, the program will continue for four additional days. A total of 120,000 centers and 500 mobile units at transport hubs have been prepared for the campaign.

The minister noted that Vitamin A deficiency is a major cause of night blindness and child blindness. Regular distribution of Vitamin A capsules over the past two decades has significantly reduced blindness caused by malnutrition in Bangladesh.

The national task force formed to combat mosquito-borne diseases will carry out regular inspection and monitoring operations in residential and institutional areas of Dhaka to eliminate Aedes mosquitoes during the monsoon season. State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam announced the initiative while visiting several establishments on roads 107 and 112 in Gulshan-2 as part of the task force’s anti-dengue campaign.

During the visit, the minister urged city residents to keep their balconies, flower pots, rooftop gardens, and surroundings clean to prevent mosquito breeding. Dhaka North City Corporation’s Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes said the corporation has launched a three-month program focusing on awareness and cleanliness in every household. He also requested public cooperation in removing stagnant water from homes and rooftops.

As part of the operation, Executive Magistrate Marufa Akter Neli fined the owner of Choice Restaurant on road 107 Tk 50,000 for finding mosquito larvae, with a two-month jail term in default. Awareness activities including loudspeaker announcements, leaflet distribution, and sticker campaigns were also conducted.

A clash between doctors and relatives of a patient at Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC) Mitford Hospital in Dhaka has sparked major unrest. The incident occurred on the night of June 23, when a patient was brought in and a delay in admission led to an argument that escalated into violence. Jagannath University Chhatra Dal convener Mehedi Hasan Himel was accused of involvement in the assault, though his followers claimed he was also injured. Following the incident, intern doctors began a work stoppage on Wednesday demanding justice for the attack.

According to the Intern Doctors Association (IDA), 10 to 12 individuals entered a hospital room and physically assaulted doctors. The IDA condemned the attack and issued four demands, including police deployment at each ward, installation of CCTV cameras, identification and prosecution of those involved, and action against an Ansar member accused of negligence. The hospital authorities have not yet identified any suspects due to a lack of CCTV footage.

Police confirmed that the situation was brought under control and that no formal complaint had been filed as of yet.

In a parliamentary discussion on the 2026–27 national budget, Jeshore-2 lawmaker Mosleh Uddin Farid welcomed the increased allocation for the health sector but cautioned that funding alone would not solve its deep-rooted problems. He identified manpower shortages, weak drug regulation, broken medical equipment, and inadequate primary healthcare as major obstacles. Farid said around 80,000 positions remain vacant in the health sector, while last year about Tk 2,000 crore from the operational budget was returned unused.

He noted that Bangladesh currently spends only 1 percent of GDP on health, which should gradually rise to 5 percent to match neighboring countries. Farid also highlighted that citizens bear 79 percent of total health expenses, spending Tk 90,000 crore on medicines and Tk 25,000 crore on diagnostics. He urged stronger drug control and quick repair of medical equipment, over half of which are reportedly out of service.

Farid emphasized that achieving SDG-3 by 2030 requires higher investment in primary healthcare, research, and structural reform, stressing that identifying and addressing core issues is essential for real improvement.

BNP Health Affairs Secretary Professor Dr. Rafiqul Islam has taken responsibility for the treatment of Parveen Akter, the mother of murdered child Ramisa. On Tuesday morning, Parveen was admitted to a specialized multidisciplinary hospital in Dhaka after suffering from severe mental trauma and multiple physical complications including chest pain, vertigo, and digestive problems.

According to the report, Parveen has been unable to recover from the grief of her daughter’s brutal death. In response to her deteriorating condition, Dr. Rafiqul Islam arranged her hospital admission and announced the formation of a coordinated medical board comprising specialists in psychiatry, cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology. He stated that her treatment would proceed based on the board’s recommendations.

Hospital authorities said Parveen’s condition is currently stable, but further tests will determine the next steps. Family members and associates expressed hope that the integrated treatment plan will help her gradually regain both physical and mental health.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has directed all relevant institutions to work in a coordinated manner to combat dengue. He emphasized that public awareness and active participation are essential alongside government initiatives. The first meeting of the National Committee on Prevention of Dengue and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases was held on Tuesday at the ministry, chaired by Mirza Fakhrul. The meeting decided to form a taskforce under State Minister Mir Shah Alam to oversee field-level dengue prevention activities.

The committee, recently restructured to make government efforts more coordinated and effective, includes representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies. Key decisions from the meeting include mass distribution of awareness leaflets, school-based campaigns, intensified cleanliness drives, regular inspection of mosquito control quality, and special operations to destroy Aedes breeding sites. Media and social media awareness efforts will also be strengthened.

Officials stressed the need for early and integrated preparations ahead of the monsoon season, with a focus on rapid implementation of decisions, increased field activity, and adequate manpower to curb dengue spread.

Dhaka district authorities have set a target to administer Vitamin A capsules to 553,799 children under the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign 2026. The campaign will be held on June 28 across the country, including Dhaka, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. without interruption. Civil Surgeon Dr. Mohammad Zillur Rahman announced the plan at a press briefing attended by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam and Superintendent of Police Shamima Parvin.

According to the briefing, 74,117 children aged 6–11 months will receive blue capsules containing 100,000 IU, while 478,682 children aged 12–59 months will receive red capsules containing 200,000 IU. A total of 1,743 centers, including 1,618 outreach and 125 mobile centers, will operate across the district, supported by 3,486 volunteers and 292 government staff. The Civil Surgeon emphasized Vitamin A’s role in child growth, immunity, and disease prevention, assuring that the government-supplied capsules meet international safety standards.

Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam urged collective participation to ensure no child is left out, highlighting the importance of child nutrition for building a healthy and capable future generation.

The first round of the National Vitamin A Plus Campaign 2026 will be held in Cox’s Bazar on June 28. Acting Civil Surgeon Dr. Titu Chandra Shil announced the plan during a briefing, stating that children aged 6–11 months will receive a blue vitamin A capsule, while those aged 12–59 months will receive a red capsule. The campaign aims to reach 300,000 children across the district.

According to the health department, 1,824 centers have been set up across eight upazilas, one municipality, 72 unions, and 216 wards to implement the program. A total of 486 health workers and 3,160 volunteers will participate. The district’s overall target is to provide vitamin A capsules to 493,315 children, including 61,835 aged 6–11 months and 431,480 aged 12–59 months.

Dr. Shil emphasized that vitamin A plays a vital role in children’s normal growth and development, helps protect eyesight, strengthens immunity, and reduces the risk of complications and deaths from infections such as diarrhea and measles.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to form a special taskforce under the supervision of State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam to intensify field-level activities for preventing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. The decision was taken on June 23, 2026, at the first meeting of the National Committee on the Prevention of Dengue and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases, held at the Secretariat and chaired by Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The taskforce will oversee, coordinate, and implement urgent measures across relevant agencies.

The meeting emphasized coordinated action among government and non-government institutions, including city corporations, municipalities, and district councils. Several key decisions were adopted, such as distributing awareness materials, engaging schools and communities in prevention campaigns, strengthening cleanliness drives, monitoring mosquito control quality, and identifying and destroying breeding sites. Media and social media awareness efforts will also be expanded.

Participants stressed the need for immediate and coordinated preparations ahead of the monsoon season, highlighting the importance of accelerating field operations and ensuring adequate manpower to implement the committee’s decisions effectively.

Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan, Additional Director General (Administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services, visited the Araihazar Upazila Health Complex in Narayanganj on Monday morning. During the three-hour inspection, he toured various wards, service centers, the labor room, and other departments, expressing high praise for the hospital’s cleanliness, environment, and quality of care. He also announced a cash reward of one thousand taka for a mother who had given birth through normal delivery to encourage such deliveries.

Dr. Raihan stated that among the many hospitals he has visited across the country, few maintain such a high level of cleanliness and order. He noted that every area, from toilets to wards, was well maintained and that patient care conditions were satisfactory.

Hospital sources said that recent initiatives have been taken to improve service quality, cleanliness, and patient-friendly conditions at the Araihazar Health Complex. The senior official’s commendation has reportedly inspired renewed enthusiasm among the hospital’s doctors, nurses, and staff.

Bangladesh is facing a renewed surge of dengue infections even as a severe measles outbreak continues. According to the Directorate General of Health Services, 1,703 people were infected with dengue in the first 21 days of June 2026, with two deaths in the last 24 hours. So far this year, 4,900 cases and nine deaths have been reported across 58 districts, with Barishal division recording the highest number of patients. Experts and the health minister have expressed concern that dengue has become a national challenge rather than a seasonal disease.

The government has restructured the national dengue committee and launched a three-month nationwide program to destroy Aedes mosquito breeding sites. Hospitals have been instructed to strengthen treatment facilities, with field hospitals and dedicated dengue corners being prepared. Testing has been made 80 percent free, and legal action is being warned against negligence in mosquito control.

Experts warn that fogging alone is insufficient and call for continuous surveillance, elimination of breeding grounds, and public awareness. They emphasize that both government and citizens must act proactively to prevent the situation from worsening.