An opinion piece published on May 4, 2026, in Amader Desh highlights the growing problem of device addiction in modern society. The article warns that smartphones, tablets, and laptops, while making life easier, are silently fostering a new behavioral disorder known as digital dependency or internet gaming disorder. It notes that excessive screen time is reducing attention span, memory, and mental strength, particularly among youth. According to Statista data cited in the article, people spend an average of six to eight hours daily on screens, and about 70 percent of urban Bangladeshi students use mobile phones for more than four hours a day.

The report identifies health issues such as computer vision syndrome and text neck syndrome, along with psychological problems like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It also discusses how social media comparisons and instant gratification are eroding patience and emotional stability. The article warns that children exposed to screens too early may face developmental challenges, including autism-like conditions.

To counter this, the author suggests digital detox, screen-time management, and parental guidance to promote balanced technology use and strengthen family relationships.

Member of Parliament Monjurul Islam Monju from Dinajpur-1 has issued a strict warning that any clinic in Birganj where a patient dies during surgery will be permanently sealed. He made the announcement while addressing local clinics, emphasizing that operations must be conducted under proper medical guidelines with qualified surgeons and anesthesiologists.

The MP instructed all clinics to employ at least one BMDC-registered MBBS medical officer, three diploma nurses, and other staff as required by regulations. He also directed that certified medical technologists be appointed for laboratory work on a contractual basis. Monju cautioned that no recommendation or leniency would be given if rules are violated, urging clinic owners to ensure patient safety and compliance.

He further instructed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the Health and Family Planning Officer to remain vigilant. Monju called on clinic owners to transform Birganj into a model healthcare town by following proper standards, warning that repeated patient deaths would no longer be tolerated.

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Cape Verde has resulted in three deaths, according to the World Health Organization as reported by the BBC. A 70-year-old male passenger on the MV Hondius fell ill and died after the vessel reached Saint Helena Island. His 69-year-old wife also became ill and later died in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Hantavirus is a rodent-borne virus that spreads through inhalation of particles from dried rodent droppings. Professor Paul Griffin, Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services in Australia, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that hantavirus is not a common virus but can be severe. He noted that cruise ships provide favorable conditions for infection spread due to confined spaces and prolonged close contact among passengers.

Griffin added that since the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene practices have improved, making hantavirus transmission among cruise passengers highly unusual.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that 81 percent of measles vaccinations have been completed across Bangladesh, leading to significant control over the disease. He stated that antibody formation is progressing well and that full vaccination coverage is expected within a few days. The minister made these remarks on Sunday during a session with deputy commissioners at the District Commissioners’ Conference.

During the session, district commissioners highlighted various problems in health complexes nationwide. The minister directed that ambulance services in all upazila health complexes must remain operational and that efforts should be made to curb the influence of brokers in hospitals. He also mentioned ongoing drives against counterfeit medicines.

Additionally, the minister emphasized cleanliness to prevent dengue outbreaks and instructed that sufficient stocks of anti-venom and rabies vaccines be maintained across the country. Plans were also discussed to ensure healthcare services reach citizens more effectively, including the recruitment of ten Ansar members for each upazila health complex.

In southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar region, hundreds of people are turning to self-proclaimed spiritual healer Neda Mohammad Qadri, who claims to cure cancer and thalassemia by blessing water. Qadri, a former cook with no medical or religious training, attracts large crowds daily as patients seek hope amid a collapsing healthcare system. Many, including families of terminally ill patients, report paying him money and livestock despite no medical improvement.

According to the World Health Organization, Afghanistan records over 24,000 new cancer cases and 17,000 deaths annually, though experts believe the real figures are higher due to a lack of hospitals, doctors, and diagnostic facilities. After the Taliban took power in 2021, international aid sharply declined, leaving hospitals like Kandahar’s Mirwais facility short of essential equipment. Border closures with Pakistan have further restricted access to advanced treatment and imported medicines.

Medical experts warn that unregulated spiritual practices and misuse of antibiotics pose serious health risks. They stress that such rituals may offer emotional comfort but cannot replace professional medical care, leaving many Afghans trapped between faith and failing healthcare.

A measles outbreak has intensified in the Rohingya camps of Ukhiya and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, with more than 330 suspected and 40 laboratory-confirmed cases recorded in the first four months of 2026. Three deaths have been reported. The international medical organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has strengthened its operations, providing treatment to affected children and supporting ongoing vaccination efforts. MSF reported that the outbreak has spread across all 64 districts of Bangladesh, with the densely populated refugee camps posing heightened transmission risks.

MSF’s Country Medical Coordinator, Mike Stensens, said infections surged sharply from March, with most patients being children under five, many showing severe pneumonia symptoms. In April alone, MSF treated 284 measles patients, four times higher than in the first quarter, with 82 requiring hospitalization. A new isolation unit opened on April 19 in the Jamtoli camp has already reached full capacity. Low vaccination coverage remains the main concern, as nearly three-quarters of confirmed patients were unvaccinated.

To contain the outbreak, health authorities launched a measles and rubella vaccination campaign on April 26 across the Rohingya camps.

A severe measles outbreak has been reported inside the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Dhaka, where parents allege that children admitted for other illnesses are contracting measles during treatment. As of April 2026, 466 children had been hospitalized with measles symptoms since January, and 17 had died. Hospital data show a 152 percent rise in admissions from March to April, with most patients aged between six and nine months. The hospital’s specialized measles ward and ICU are operating at full capacity, leaving many families struggling to find beds.

Doctors confirm that measles, being highly contagious, is spreading through respiratory contact among patients. They cite delayed vaccination and malnutrition as key factors worsening the situation. Parents describe distressing scenes of infants suffering from fever, rashes, and breathing difficulties, while many express frustration over the shortage of ICU beds and limited care facilities.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, 1,096 new measles cases were recorded nationwide in the past 24 hours, including four suspected deaths. Since March 15, a total of 284 child deaths have been reported, 49 of them confirmed measles fatalities.

Saudi Arabia has announced strict health regulations for Hajj pilgrims ahead of the main rituals of the pilgrimage. The Ministry of Health stated that individuals suffering from serious physical or mental illnesses will not be granted Hajj permits this year. The directive, reported by Gulf News citing the Saudi Public Health Authority, aims to ensure the safety of pilgrims who might struggle with the physically demanding rituals. The ministry has also made several vaccinations mandatory for all participants.

According to the Saudi authorities, people with kidney complications requiring dialysis, heart failure, liver cirrhosis, severe mental disorders including dementia, extreme age-related weakness, and women in the last trimester of pregnancy are ineligible for Hajj permits. All pilgrims must receive a meningitis vaccine at least ten days before the pilgrimage. Those at higher risk, such as the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, and pregnant women, are advised to take COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines.

The ministry emphasized that these measures are part of Saudi Arabia’s annual effort to prevent global health risks and ensure the safety of millions gathering in Mecca.

Fourteen people were injured in separate rabid dog attacks in Gournadi upazila of Barishal on Thursday. The incidents occurred between morning and afternoon across several areas, including Torki, Bilbgram, Shaora, Sundari, Barthi, Kotoksthol, Baurgati, and Magura. Additionally, one person was injured by a cat bite in the Gournadi bus stand area. All the injured received treatment at the Gournadi Upazila Health Complex.

According to the emergency department register of the health complex, the victims include several children and adults from different villages. The on-duty physician, Dr. Samiron Haldar, confirmed that all patients received primary treatment and vaccination before returning home. He also noted a recent increase in the number of patients attacked by rabid dogs in the area.

The incidents have raised concern among local residents about the growing number of stray and rabid animals in Gournadi, though no further official measures were reported in the source.

Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, was hospitalized on Thursday morning in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area for gallbladder stone removal surgery at Insaf-Barakah Hospital. The operation was performed by Professor Dr. Matiar Rahman, with anesthesiologists Professor Dr. Idris and Dr. Rafiqul Islam, and Associate Professor Dr. Monir Hossain overseeing overall management. Following the surgery at 10 a.m., Rahman regained consciousness and was reported to be in stable condition by noon.

His wife Firoza Mahmud, who is also the managing director of Amar Desh, along with senior editorial staff and family members, were present at the hospital during the procedure. Doctors indicated that Rahman was admitted in the morning and, if recovery continues smoothly, he may be discharged on Friday. His family and colleagues have requested prayers for his quick recovery.

Later in the afternoon, a prayer gathering was held at the Amar Desh office after the Asr prayer, led by Sheikh Maulana Ali Hasan Tayeb, with participation from editorial and departmental heads wishing for Rahman’s full recovery.

The newly built Bangladesh Navy Medical College in Chattogram’s Bandar Tila area, adjacent to BNS Issa Khan, was officially inaugurated on Wednesday by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan. The institution, established under the supervision of the Bangladesh Navy, aims to provide modern medical education supported by advanced infrastructure and training facilities.

According to the source, the college has already completed its admission process following the guidelines of the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) and the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). With the inauguration, a five-year medical education program has begun for 50 civilian students in the current academic year. The Navy Chief stated that the college will enhance the armed forces’ medical capacity and contribute to improved healthcare for the general population.

The college features modern laboratories, a well-equipped library, advanced classrooms, and experienced faculty. Academic activities are set to be conducted by qualified teachers and trained staff, integrating naval discipline and professionalism to strengthen the national healthcare sector.

Dhaka District Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman has said that despite the rise in Bangladesh’s average life expectancy, awareness about elderly nutrition remains low among families and individuals. He made the remarks on January 29 during a discussion on ‘Elderly Nutrition and Nutrition During Disasters’ marking the final day of National Nutrition Week 2026 in Dhaka. The weeklong campaign, held from April 23 to 29, aimed to raise public awareness through various programs organized by the Civil Surgeon’s Office.

Dr. Rahman noted that the country’s average life expectancy has reached around 74 years, with elderly people now comprising about 10 percent of the population, projected to reach 20–21 percent by 2040–2050. He expressed concern that families often neglect the nutritional needs of older members, leading to health complications. He advised maintaining healthy eating habits, fostering social relationships, and ensuring intergenerational care to prevent isolation in old age.

The Civil Surgeon emphasized that improving nutrition requires joint efforts from families, educational and religious institutions, and the media. The office also conducted special programs for mothers, children, adolescents, orphans, and the elderly during the week.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh has issued a directive requiring prior approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) before commercial banks can open letters of credit (LCs) for importing supplement products. The circular, also endorsed by the central bank, was announced following a government notification issued on Wednesday.

According to the official notice, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2023, registration or prior approval from the DGDA is mandatory for the production, import, export, sale, and distribution of dietary, herbal, nutritional, medical, or therapeutic supplements. Violating these provisions constitutes a punishable offense. The directive follows incidents where some importers brought in supplements without approval, leading customs authorities to halt clearance. Subsequent legal proceedings reached the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, which allowed conditional clearance under the law.

To ensure public safety and proper enforcement, the DGDA has requested that no LC or telegraphic transfer be opened for supplement imports without valid registration or prior authorization.

The Directorate General of Health Education in Bangladesh has announced that every new medical student will plant a tree on their first day of class in the 2025–26 academic year. The initiative will be part of a centrally organized orientation event connecting all medical colleges online, followed by individual welcome programs at each institution. The program aims to instill environmental responsibility among future doctors while marking the beginning of their medical education.

According to Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of the Directorate, the tree-planting initiative was introduced last year and received positive response. The broader discussion also covered government efforts to improve medical education quality, including infrastructure upgrades for older colleges and expansion projects to accommodate more students. Currently, Bangladesh has 37 public and 112 total medical colleges offering MBBS degrees.

The initiative reflects the government’s emphasis on combining academic development with social and environmental awareness among medical students, aligning with national goals for sustainable education and healthcare improvement.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the northern region, has successfully undergone surgery. The NCP media cell confirmed the news on Tuesday night. Earlier in the day, Alam was taken to the hospital around 2:45 p.m. after experiencing sudden abdominal pain.

Doctors discovered stones in his bladder and decided to perform surgery. His younger brother, Sahadat Hossain Sakib, provided these details to the media. The operation was reported to have been completed successfully, and Alam’s condition was described as stable following the procedure.

The report did not include further information about his current recovery process or the hospital where the surgery took place.