Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that party chairperson Khaleda Zia is receiving medical treatment under the supervision of both local and foreign doctors. Speaking to reporters at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Fakhrul said that doctors are making every effort to ensure her recovery. Khaleda Zia has been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since last Sunday after being diagnosed with a lung infection, which has made her condition critical. She is currently under intensive care in the Critical Care Unit (CCU). A medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, comprising specialists from Bangladesh, the United States’ Johns Hopkins University, and the UK’s London Clinic, is overseeing her treatment. Tarique Rahman, BNP’s acting chairman, is coordinating with the medical board and doctors abroad from London. Party leaders and supporters continue to pray for her recovery.

A new medical board has been formed to oversee the treatment of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and to decide whether she should be taken abroad for advanced medical care. The decision was announced by BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo after visiting her at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Mintoo said Khaleda Zia’s condition has slightly improved, and all future medical decisions will follow the board’s recommendations. Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on November 23 with respiratory complications caused by a lung infection that later developed into pneumonia. She also suffers from kidney, liver, arthritis, and diabetes issues, making her treatment complex. According to doctors, she is receiving oxygen support to maintain normal breathing and has shown limited movement and speech. Her family and party members continue to discuss the possibility of sending her abroad for better treatment.

Medical technologists and pharmacists at Dhaka Medical College Hospital observed a two-hour work stoppage on Sunday, demanding their job grade be upgraded from the 11th to the 10th level, similar to diploma engineers and nurses. The protest disrupted diagnostic services such as blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, causing significant inconvenience to patients. The Bangladesh Medical Technologists Association and the Bangladesh Pharmacists Association stated that their promotion file is pending at the Ministry of Public Administration, alleging bureaucratic delays and lack of goodwill from senior officials. The associations claim that despite fulfilling all procedural requirements, their legitimate demand remains unaddressed. They warned that if the issue is not resolved, a half-day strike will be held on December 3, followed by a complete shutdown on December 4 across government hospitals and health institutions nationwide.

Bangladesh has reported five new dengue-related deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the same period, 636 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the country due to the mosquito-borne disease. The highest number of new cases was recorded in Dhaka North City Corporation with 147 admissions, followed by 116 outside Dhaka city, 95 in Chattogram, and 75 in Barishal. Meanwhile, 803 patients were discharged from hospitals in the same period. Since January, a total of 94,402 dengue cases have been recorded nationwide, with 92,025 patients recovering so far. Health authorities continue to urge the public to take preventive measures against Aedes mosquito breeding as dengue infections persist across multiple divisions.

Nurses and midwives across Bangladesh have staged a symbolic two-hour shutdown at health and nursing institutions to press for the implementation of their long-pending demands. Organized by the Bangladesh Nurses Association (BNA), the protest took place on November 30 at hospitals and educational institutions nationwide. The BNA leadership stated that despite assurances from the health adviser, no effective action has been taken in the past 14 months to address professional disparities, administrative reforms, and the preservation of an independent nursing directorate. The association warned that if their eight-point demands are not fulfilled by December 1, a complete and indefinite shutdown will begin on December 2. During the shutdown, nurses will continue emergency services in critical units such as ICUs, NICUs, and emergency departments. The demands include halting the merger of the nursing directorate, approving career structures, granting promotions, upgrading pay grades, and ensuring fair recruitment and benefits. The BNA held the administration responsible for any disruption resulting from the strike.

Medical technologists and pharmacists at the 100-bed Lakshmipur Sadar Hospital observed a two-hour work stoppage on Sunday morning, demanding implementation of the 10th grade pay scale. The protest, organized by the district committee of the Medical Technologists and Pharmacists Association, caused significant disruption in hospital services, leaving patients and attendants waiting long hours for medicine and laboratory services. Leaders including Jamal Hossain, Jasim Uddin, and Atikur Rahman participated in the demonstration. The protesters stated that all medical technologists and pharmacists working in government and autonomous hospitals, as well as health education institutions, should be upgraded from the 11th to the 10th grade due to their critical roles in diagnostics and medication management. They warned that if their demand is not met, they will escalate the protest to a four-hour strike on December 3, followed by a complete shutdown if necessary.

According to the Health and Morbidity Status Survey 2025 released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), 332.19 out of every 1,000 people in Bangladesh reported illness during the 90 days preceding the survey. The prevalence was slightly higher in rural areas (333.30) than in urban areas (331.40). Women showed a higher illness rate (354.6 per 1,000) compared to men (309.2). The most common diseases included hypertension, peptic ulcer, diabetes, arthritis, skin diseases, heart disease, asthma, osteoporosis, hepatitis, and diarrhea. The survey also found that the average medical expenditure per person was Tk 2,487, with most of it spent on medicines. About 51% of respondents relied on self-treatment or local pharmacies, while only 11.5% used government health services. The rate of cesarean deliveries stood at 41.3%, and 5.2% of the population lived with physical or mental disabilities, with women being slightly more affected. The findings highlight growing health challenges and financial burdens on households.

Medical technologists and pharmacists across Bangladesh observed a two-hour work stoppage on Sunday, November 30, demanding the implementation of the 10th grade pay scale. The protest began at 9 a.m. and temporarily disrupted diagnostic services and medicine distribution in government hospitals nationwide, including Rangpur Medical College Hospital and Munshiganj General Hospital. Patients expressed frustration over the suspension of services. The demonstrators stated that they have been pressing for the 10th grade pay scale for three decades without any government action. They warned that if their demand is not met by December 2, they will initiate a complete shutdown of all medical colleges and hospitals across the country. The temporary strike highlights long-standing grievances among healthcare technologists and pharmacists regarding pay disparities and recognition within the public health sector.

More than a hundred workers at Creative Collection Ltd, a garment factory under Ha-Meem Group in Tongi, fell ill on Sunday following panic triggered by the recent deaths of two colleagues. The incident came a day after around fifty workers became sick under similar circumstances. Hospital sources confirmed that dozens of workers were admitted to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital and other nearby facilities. Doctors said the workers were suffering from stress-related illness rather than poisoning or infection. Factory authorities have announced a two-day closure to calm the situation and allow counseling for employees. Police reported no formal complaints or autopsy requests regarding the deaths. The panic reportedly began after one worker died on November 24 and another on November 29, both after suddenly losing consciousness. Officials urged the company to provide psychological support to prevent further mass illness incidents.

Health experts have warned that the H5 strain of bird flu could cause a pandemic more severe than COVID-19 if it begins spreading easily among humans. Marie-Anne Rameix-Velt, a respiratory infection specialist at France’s Pasteur Institute, cautioned that humans lack immunity against H5-type avian influenza, unlike common flu strains H1 and H3. The highly contagious virus has already led to the culling of millions of birds worldwide, disrupting food supply chains and raising market prices. The United States recently reported its first human case of H5N5 infection in Washington, which proved fatal. Most infections so far have been linked to close contact with infected animals. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1,000 human infections have been recorded globally since 2003, with a fatality rate of about 48 percent. However, experts note that human-to-human transmission remains limited. Despite the risks, improved vaccines, antivirals, and faster production capabilities have strengthened global preparedness compared to previous outbreaks.

Recent analysis by Dr. Saurabh Shetty, a Harvard-trained physician, suggests that regular consumption of onion and garlic may help reduce cancer risk and strengthen the immune system. Both belong to the allium family and contain organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl sulfide, and diallyl disulfide, which may inhibit tumor growth and support liver detoxification. Dr. Shetty emphasizes that allowing crushed or chopped garlic to rest for at least 10 minutes before cooking activates allicin, enhancing its health benefits. These foods also nourish beneficial gut bacteria, improve intestinal health, and provide antioxidants that protect cells from damage. The American Institute for Cancer Research has listed garlic as a ‘food that fights cancer,’ while the British Journal of Cancer reports that onions and garlic may lower the risk of prostate, stomach, colon, esophageal, and breast cancers.

Brazil has become the first country to approve a single-dose dengue vaccine, marking a major milestone in the global fight against the mosquito-borne disease. The vaccine, named Butantan-DV, was developed by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo and approved by the national health regulator Anvisa for individuals aged 12 to 59. Clinical trials involving 16,000 volunteers showed 91.6% efficacy against severe dengue. The approval follows eight months of nationwide testing and is expected to accelerate immunization efforts across Brazil, which has been severely affected by dengue outbreaks. The Butantan Institute has partnered with China’s company Wuxi Biologics to produce around 30 million doses by the second half of 2026. According to the World Health Organization, dengue infects over 14.6 million people annually, causing about 12,000 deaths, half of which occurred in Brazil last year. Experts link the surge in dengue cases to global warming, which expands mosquito habitats and transmission rates.

Government-established community clinics in Bhola’s Charfassion upazila are failing to provide consistent healthcare services to rural residents due to irregular operations and poor supervision. Despite government funding and a mandate to remain open six days a week, many clinics operate only sporadically, leaving patients without access to essential medicines or medical consultation. Locals allege that some Community Health Care Providers (CHCPs) neglect their duties, often influenced by political affiliations, while oversight from health authorities remains weak. The Nazir Memberbari Community Clinic in Nurabad Union, serving around 6,000 people, has been particularly criticized for the frequent absence of its CHCP, Nusrat Jahan. Patients report waiting for hours without receiving treatment, forcing them to buy medicines from markets. Local health officials have acknowledged the complaints and promised investigations, but residents continue to suffer from inadequate rural healthcare delivery.

A new study by researchers from Bangladesh Agricultural University has revealed alarming levels of multidrug-resistant bacteria, or 'superbugs', in broiler chickens across the country. The research, published in the Asian-Australasian Journal of Food Safety and Security, attributes this to the rampant misuse of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and tetracycline by small and medium poultry farmers, often without veterinary guidance. Over 75% of E. coli samples collected from farms were found to be multidrug-resistant, and traces of antibiotics were detected in retail chicken meat. The presence of the mcr-1 gene, which renders colistin ineffective, poses a serious public health risk. Additionally, improper disposal of poultry waste is contaminating soil and water, releasing harmful gases and nutrients. Experts warn that antibiotic residues entering the human body through food can cause allergies, organ toxicity, and microbiome disruption. Researchers urge immediate adoption of the 'One Health' approach, stricter antibiotic regulations, improved farm biosecurity, and promotion of probiotic alternatives to ensure a sustainable poultry industry.

Researchers at France’s Institut Pasteur have warned that if the H5 strain of bird flu mutates to spread efficiently between humans, it could cause a pandemic more severe than COVID-19. The virus, currently widespread among wild birds, poultry, and some mammals, has disrupted food supplies and killed millions of birds, though human infections remain rare. Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti, medical director at the Pasteur Institute’s Respiratory Infection Center, said the greatest concern is the virus adapting to human-to-human transmission. Since humans lack antibodies against H5, unlike seasonal flu strains H1 and H3, the population would be highly vulnerable. From 2003 to 2025, around 1,000 human infections were recorded, mostly in Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with a 48% fatality rate. Recent detections in U.S. cattle and the first human H5N5 case in Washington have raised alarms. Experts stress that the pandemic risk remains low but emphasize vigilance and preparedness, noting that vaccine candidates and antivirals are already available.