Health officials in Mymensingh have expressed concern that the dengue situation may become severe again this year, as cases are being detected even before the monsoon season. According to district health data, 28 dengue patients were identified by March 13, 2026, with most receiving treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Last year, the district recorded 3,219 cases, with the highest number in Nandail upazila and most fatalities among people aged 50 to 60. The local administration has already held several meetings and initiated early preparedness measures.

Experts from Bangladesh Agricultural University warned that stagnant water in small containers, construction sites, and discarded items serves as breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. They noted that improper fogging schedules and unscientific pesticide use are reducing control effectiveness. Questions have also arisen about the quality and efficacy of larvicides and insecticides, with allegations of supplier syndicates compromising product standards.

Officials said ward-level committees have been formed to strengthen fogging, larvicide spraying, and public awareness campaigns. Health experts cautioned that without aggressive mosquito control and cleanup drives before the monsoon, Mymensingh could face another large-scale dengue outbreak.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, allegations have surfaced that low-quality laccha semai are being sold in Taraganj markets of Rangpur. Despite being packaged attractively, questions have arisen about their quality and production process. Investigations revealed that most of these products are made in villages of Syedpur and Kishoreganj upazilas of Nilphamari district, often in unhygienic conditions. Locals claim that although the packets say the semai are fried in ghee or dalda, they are actually prepared using palm oil, raising concerns about consumer health.

Reports also indicate that many packets carry fake Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) seals, and some lack production or expiry dates. Taraganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Hamdullah warned that consuming such low-quality semai could cause serious health problems. He said that palm oil, artificial colors, and even textile dyes are sometimes used in production, which can lead to stomach issues, diarrhea, dysentery, food poisoning, and long-term liver, kidney, or cancer risks.

The report highlights growing public concern over food safety and the need for stricter monitoring of festive food products.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued a 16-point directive to ensure uninterrupted emergency healthcare during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays across Bangladesh. The order, signed by Dr. Abu Hossain Md. Moinul Ahsan, Director of Hospitals and Clinics, instructs all government hospitals to keep emergency departments, labor rooms, operating theaters, laboratories, blood banks, CT scan, and MRI services operational around the clock.

The directives include maintaining adequate staffing by arranging phased leave schedules, ensuring the presence of on-call specialist doctors at upazila level, and keeping sufficient stocks of medicines, IV fluids, and surgical supplies before the holidays. Ambulance services must remain active, and hospital authorities are required to coordinate with local administration and law enforcement for security. Fire safety precautions and continuous communication between hospital heads and staff are also mandated.

Private hospitals and clinics are instructed to keep emergency and maternity services open under registered physicians and to provide primary care before referring patients. Any disaster or accident must be immediately reported to the DGHS control room.

Mirza Abbas, political adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-8, has been taken to Singapore for advanced medical care. The air ambulance carrying him arrived in Singapore around 4 p.m. Bangladesh time on Sunday, and he was admitted to Singapore General Hospital. Dr. Rafiqul Islam, BNP’s health affairs secretary, confirmed the development and said that Abbas’s condition remained stable during the journey.

Earlier, the ailing BNP Standing Committee member had been flown out of Dhaka at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, accompanied by his wife Afroza Abbas and their eldest son Mirza Yasir Abbas. Abbas had fallen unconscious last Wednesday night and was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area, where a medical board was formed for his treatment. He underwent two brain surgeries and was kept under intensive observation.

A CT scan conducted on Saturday morning showed satisfactory results, according to Dr. Rafiqul Islam, who added that doctors in Singapore received Abbas upon arrival for continued treatment.

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) has announced special arrangements to ensure uninterrupted medical services during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. According to an official notice signed by Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, the university hospital’s outpatient department will remain open on March 19 (Thursday) and March 22 (Sunday). On these two days, patients can receive medical consultations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The notice further stated that except for March 19 and 22, the outpatient department will remain closed from March 17 to 23. However, the hospital’s indoor and emergency departments will continue operating as usual during the holiday period. The university administration has instructed the hospital director to take necessary measures to implement the plan.

All classes, offices, evening specialized consultation services, super-specialized hospital consultations, and the PCR lab will remain closed during the Eid holidays. Regular academic and hospital activities will resume on March 24 (Tuesday), with an “Eid Reunion 2026” scheduled at the university premises between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

An air ambulance carrying Mirza Abbas, political adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-8, departed from Dhaka for Singapore on Sunday around 11:30 a.m. He is being taken abroad for advanced medical treatment. His wife Afroza Abbas and their eldest son Mirza Yasir Abbas are accompanying him, according to his personal secretary Mizanur Rahman Sohel.

Mirza Abbas was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara after losing consciousness on Wednesday night. A medical board was formed for his treatment, and he underwent two brain surgeries. He has since been kept under intensive observation. On Saturday morning, a CT scan of his brain was conducted, and the report was described as good by BNP’s health affairs secretary Rafiqul Islam.

The transfer to Singapore marks the next stage of his medical care following several days of critical treatment in Dhaka.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, vice president of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, announced that all citizens will receive healthcare based on need rather than financial capacity. Speaking on Saturday at the LD Hall of the National Parliament in Dhaka during a Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) event distributing Eid gifts to underprivileged children, she said healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege. She emphasized the government’s commitment to universal health coverage under the principle of 'Health for All'.

Zubaida Rahman outlined plans to strengthen primary healthcare as the foundation of the national health system, including 24-hour ambulance services at upazila health complexes and the creation of a national ambulance pool and emergency service network. She also highlighted modernization of medical education, structured career paths for health workers, and safe medical waste management. Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bukol and State Minister Dr. M.A. Muhit also spoke, stressing the need to eliminate brokers from hospitals and urging doctors to serve patients sincerely.

DAB leaders pledged support for doctors’ fair demands and called for regular attendance and service delivery in hospitals.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has undergone successful surgery and is currently under special observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Doctors confirmed that there was no brain hemorrhage but an infection was detected. Due to limited medical support in the country, his family and party are making efforts to transfer him abroad for advanced treatment.

Professor Dr. Shahabuddin Talukder, the specialist overseeing his care, stated that the surgery was completed successfully and that the decision to move him abroad depends on his physical improvement. According to BNP’s media cell, his CT scan results are satisfactory, but the necessary specialized support and intensive monitoring facilities are insufficient locally.

Mirza Abbas was admitted to Evercare Hospital last Wednesday after suddenly falling ill during iftar and losing consciousness. His family and party have requested prayers from the public for his recovery.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas remains under treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after undergoing a second successful surgery. Professor Dr. Shahabuddin Talukder informed that a new CT scan would be conducted on Saturday, March 14, to assess his condition. He clarified that Abbas suffered from an infection in the brain, not bleeding, and that his recovery progress would determine whether he could be moved abroad for further treatment.

According to the medical team, Mirza Abbas is currently under intensive observation, and the next steps will depend on the results of the latest CT scan. Dr. Talukder stated that any decision regarding foreign treatment would be based on the stability of his physical condition.

Earlier, on Friday, March 13, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Abbas at the hospital, inquired about his treatment, and instructed officials to take necessary measures for his possible transfer to Singapore. Abbas was admitted to Evercare Hospital on Wednesday after losing consciousness during iftar.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu announced that a nationwide cleanliness drive will be held every Saturday starting March 14, 2026, to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. The initiative follows Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive to strengthen preventive measures and public awareness. Minu made the announcement while inaugurating a cleaning program at a canal near Baya Bridge in Rajshahi, organized by the district administration.

The minister emphasized the importance of destroying Aedes mosquito breeding sites before the monsoon season by keeping homes, yards, drains, and water reservoirs clean. He noted that mosquito-borne diseases have become a growing concern across both urban and rural areas. The event was held without any stage, microphone, or ceremonial arrangements, underscoring a focus on collective community participation.

Rajshahi’s district administration organized the program with support from the upazila administration and Nowhata municipality. Local MP Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon highlighted that maintaining cleanliness and raising awareness are key to preventing dengue outbreaks.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has undergone brain surgery at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The operation was completed on Friday, March 13, under the supervision of a medical board formed with specialist doctors. BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam confirmed the procedure, stating that the decision for surgery was made after reviewing all medical reports.

Earlier in the morning, a CT scan revealed a deterioration in Abbas’s condition, prompting the formation of a virtual medical board. The board, which included several prominent neurology professors, decided to proceed with the operation after consulting his family members. The surgery took place shortly before 4 p.m.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Evercare Hospital after Friday prayers and was briefed by the medical board about Mirza Abbas’s condition and treatment progress.

A medical board at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka has decided to perform brain surgery on Mirza Abbas, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and political adviser to the Prime Minister. The decision was announced on Friday, March 13, 2026, by BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr. Rafiqul Islam, who said Abbas was taken to the operating theater at 3:10 p.m. following the board’s review.

Earlier in the day, a CT scan revealed a deterioration in Abbas’s condition, prompting an emergency virtual meeting of the medical board. The board, comprising prominent neurology specialists including Professors Ali Uzzaman Joardar, Kazi Din Mohammad, Shahabuddin Talukder, Rajiul Haque, Syed Saeed Ahmed, Kader Sheikh, and Shafiqul Islam, made the decision with the consent of Abbas’s family.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Evercare Hospital after Friday prayers and was briefed by the medical board. Dr. Rafiqul Islam requested prayers from the public for Mirza Abbas’s recovery.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on citizens to take preventive measures against dengue and chikungunya through a special video message released on Wednesday. He warned that both diseases have become serious threats to public health but emphasized that awareness and early prevention can protect people from infection. Experts noted that Aedes mosquitoes transmit these diseases, making proactive control essential.

The Prime Minister explained that although dengue outbreaks are most common from June to October, infections can occur at any time. He urged people to prevent water from accumulating in containers such as drains, flower pots, buckets, and discarded tires, and to keep water tanks covered. He also announced a nationwide cleanliness campaign starting March 14, to be conducted weekly, with members of parliament and local representatives encouraged to lead community cleaning efforts every Saturday.

Rahman reiterated that the government’s health policy prioritizes prevention over treatment and reminded citizens that cleanliness and awareness remain the most effective defenses against mosquito-borne diseases.

Research and advocacy group PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) have called for the immediate passage of the 'Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025' as a law in the first session of Bangladesh’s new Parliament. The demand was made at a press conference held on Wednesday at the National Press Club’s Manik Mia Hall in Dhaka.

Speakers at the event noted that the current government had pledged in its election manifesto to take legal measures to control non-communicable diseases caused by tobacco use. They argued that passing the ordinance into law would help protect public health by discouraging the use of nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and vapes, and by shielding non-smokers, including women and children, from secondhand smoke exposure.

According to data presented at the conference, tobacco use causes around 200,000 deaths annually in Bangladesh, with health and environmental damages estimated at Tk 87,000 crore per year—more than double the revenue earned from the tobacco sector. Advocates warned that without stronger legislation, the harmful effects of tobacco on public health and the economy will continue to worsen.

Professor Dr. Prabhat Chandra Biswas has been appointed as the acting Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Bangladesh. The appointment was announced on Tuesday through a notification issued by the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to the order, the BCS (Health) cadre officer has been transferred from his current position and assigned as DGHS Director General (Grade-1). The order, issued in the public interest, takes immediate effect.

Before this appointment, Dr. Biswas served as a professor in the Department of Urology at Dhaka Medical College. He has long been involved in the treatment and surgery of kidney, urinary tract, and prostate diseases, and is recognized as a specialist in urology services in the country. He holds MBBS, MPH, and MS degrees in Urology and has received special training in minimally invasive surgery.

With nearly three decades of experience in medical service and academia, Dr. Biswas is also active in professional organizations and serves as an executive committee member of the Dhaka University Alumni Association.