A new study by researchers at Bangladesh Agricultural University has revealed alarming levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the country’s poultry sector. Published in the Asian-Australasian Journal of Food Safety and Security, the review analyzed two decades of research and found that over 75% of E. coli samples from poultry farms were multidrug-resistant, with the MCR-1 gene detected, rendering key antibiotics like colistin ineffective. Residues of fluoroquinolone and tetracycline were found in 22% and 18% of chicken meat samples respectively, exceeding safe limits. The study warns that unregulated antibiotic use for growth promotion and disease prevention in small and medium farms is driving the spread of resistant bacteria to humans through the food chain. In addition to health threats, untreated poultry waste is polluting soil and water. Researchers urge adopting a 'One Health' approach, stricter regulation of antibiotic sales, improved farm biosecurity, and promotion of probiotic and herbal alternatives to ensure safe and sustainable poultry production.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been transferred from her cabin to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for close medical monitoring. The move took place on Thursday, November 27, according to BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir. Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, November 23, around 8 p.m. Her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain stated that she is under intensive observation by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists. The BNP leadership has requested prayers from the public for her speedy recovery. Khaleda Zia, a former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been suffering from various health complications in recent years, leading to multiple hospitalizations.

Popular Bangladeshi actor and founder of the 'Nirapad Sarak Chai' (We Demand Safe Roads) movement, Ilias Kanchan, is currently receiving treatment in London for a brain tumor. He has been ill for the past seven months and under medical care in London for about six months. Doctors have described his condition as complex since the tumor is located near vital nerves in the brain, making surgery highly risky. According to Liton Ershad, vice-chairman of the movement, Kanchan can now speak normally, a significant improvement from earlier difficulties. A large portion of the tumor has already been removed, and the remaining part is being treated through radiation and chemotherapy. He is staying at his daughter Israt Jahan’s residence during treatment. Once his current medication course ends, doctors will conduct further tests to determine the next steps and assess whether he can return to Bangladesh soon.

A new 'Bangladeshi Booth' has been inaugurated at Malaysia’s Prince Court Medical Centre to assist Bangladeshi patients seeking medical treatment abroad. The initiative, launched by Expat Hospital, aims to simplify the medical travel process for Bangladeshi citizens by providing services in the Bangla language and offering comprehensive support including visa and travel assistance, hotel booking, hospital appointments, coordination with specialists, halal food arrangements, and post-treatment online follow-ups. The booth serves as a reliable information and support center, helping patients overcome language barriers and logistical challenges. The inauguration follows a memorandum of understanding signed earlier in November, attended by Malaysia’s tourism minister, underscoring the importance of this collaboration. Hospital officials and guests described the booth as a milestone that strengthens medical tourism ties between Bangladesh and Malaysia, making high-quality healthcare more accessible and comfortable for Bangladeshi patients.

After nearly five months of intensive treatment, 11-year-old Sheikh Saiyeba Mehzabin, a fourth-grade student of Milestone School and College, has finally returned home. She was severely burned in the Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crash that occurred in Uttara on July 21, which injured several students and teachers. According to Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, a resident physician at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Mehzabin suffered burns on 22 percent of her body. Over the months, she underwent continuous medical care and rehabilitation. In total, 35 injured individuals from the incident have been discharged so far, with only one patient still under treatment. Doctors expressed optimism about the remaining patient’s recovery. Mehzabin’s return marks a hopeful step toward normal life after enduring months of physical pain and emotional trauma.

A raid conducted by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at Chittagong University uncovered the sale of rotten and expired food items at several campus shops. The operation, held on Wednesday afternoon at the university’s arts faculty area known as 'Kalar Jhupuri', inspected eight shops, one of which was found storing a large quantity of spoiled food. CAB university branch president Md. Rojain Al Rafi expressed grave concern over the health risks posed to students, noting that many have fallen ill after consuming such food. Chittagong University Proctor Hossain Shahid Sohrawardy, who visited the site, said he was shocked by the findings. The university authorities have sealed the shop and announced plans to terminate its contract, promising further action to ensure food safety on campus.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia remains under close medical observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she was admitted on November 23. According to Professor F.M. Siddiqui, a member of her medical board, doctors have detected a chest infection and are providing necessary treatment based on her current condition. Khaleda Zia, who returned from London on May 6 after a 117-day stay for advanced medical care, has been undergoing regular health check-ups since then. Her current hospitalization follows ongoing health concerns that have required continuous monitoring by her medical team. The BNP leader’s health has been a matter of public and political attention, with her party closely following updates on her condition.

Dhaka has emerged as the top region for antibiotic use in Bangladesh, accounting for 57% of the country’s total consumption, according to the latest National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance report. The study, presented by IEDCR’s chief scientific officer Dr. Zakir Hossain Habib, revealed alarming levels of drug-resistant bacteria in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). About 41% of ICU samples were found to be pan-drug resistant, meaning no tested antibiotics were effective. Overall, 46% of hospital samples showed multidrug resistance, rising to 89% in ICUs. Experts cautioned that Bangladesh is approaching a dangerous “post-antibiotic era” where common infections could become life-threatening. The surveillance, conducted under WHO’s Global Action Plan, analyzed over 96,000 clinical samples from 2016 to 2024. The most prevalent bacteria identified were E. coli (35%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.2%), with young adults aged 21–30 being the highest antibiotic users.

A 65-year-old Thai woman named Chanthirot, bedridden for nearly two years, was mistakenly declared dead by her family after she lost consciousness on Sunday. Believing she had passed away, relatives placed her in a coffin and transported her about four hours to a temple near Bangkok for a free funeral service. However, during preparations for the cremation, faint cries for help were heard from inside the coffin. When opened, the woman was found trembling and waving her hands weakly. A video captured the stunned reactions of her relatives. Medical professionals later confirmed that she had not died but had suffered from extremely low blood sugar levels, causing her to appear lifeless. The incident took place in Phitsanulok province and has drawn widespread attention in Thailand for its shocking and miraculous nature.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health condition has shown some improvement, according to Dr. Shahabuddin Talukder, a specialist at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was admitted to the hospital on Sunday with infections in her heart and lungs and is currently being treated under the supervision of a medical board in a cabin. Although her condition is reported to be better, doctors have indicated that it will take more time before she can return home. Party leaders and supporters have requested prayers for her recovery. From London, her son Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman are closely monitoring her condition, while in Dhaka, her late son Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman is staying by her side.

A man died and 17 others fell ill after consuming food at a wedding ceremony in Agradigun Bazar area of Dhamoirhat upazila, Naogaon, on Sunday. The deceased, identified as Mozammel Hossain, 38, was among around 250 guests who attended the event. Following the meal, several attendees began suffering from vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Five of the seriously ill individuals were identified as Joydeb (33), Rehena Begum (36), Babu (10), Zahidul (38), and Mozammel (28). They are currently receiving treatment at Patnitala Upazila Health Complex. Mozammel Hossain was initially admitted there but was later referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital due to his deteriorating condition; he died on the way. Local authorities suspect food poisoning as the cause, and health officials confirmed that 18 patients were admitted following the incident. The deceased was buried at his family graveyard on Monday afternoon.

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first specialized dental unit designed exclusively for children with special needs, marking a milestone in inclusive healthcare. The unit, launched at Faith Bangladesh’s Lalmatia campus in Dhaka, aims to provide safe, child-sensitive, and advanced dental care, including anesthesia-assisted procedures rarely available in regular clinics. The inauguration ceremony was attended by former Additional Secretary and Janata Bank Director Dr. Md. Shahadat Hossain, and Additional Secretary of the ICT Ministry Md. Zahirul Islam, among others. Speakers emphasized the need to expand specialized healthcare services for the country’s estimated 1.6 to 1.8 million children with special needs. Faith Bangladesh’s Executive Director Nilufar Ahmed Karim highlighted the organization’s commitment to compassionate and inclusive health services. The organization also announced plans to introduce two additional specialized services — a dedicated eye care unit and an asthma center — to further support children with special needs and their families.

A new report by the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reveals that 41% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in Bangladesh are not responding to any antibiotics, signaling a severe antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threat. The 'National AMR Surveillance Report 2025', presented by Chief Scientific Officer Professor Dr. Zakir Hossain Habib, analyzed samples from 96,477 patients between July 2024 and June 2025 across five ICUs. The findings show that pan-drug-resistant (PDR) bacteria were found in 7% of all samples and 41% of ICU cases, while multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria appeared in 46% of all samples and 89% of ICU cases. The use of WHO watch-group antibiotics rose from 77% to 90.9%, with ceftriaxone and meropenem being the most used. Dr. Habib warned that unregulated and excessive antibiotic use has pushed AMR to a dangerous level, posing a major public health risk for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka with infections in her heart and lungs. According to Professor Dr. FM Siddiqui, a member of her medical board, the former prime minister had been suffering from frequent infections in recent months, and her condition worsened due to simultaneous heart and chest complications. Khaleda Zia, who already has a pacemaker and a history of heart procedures, is now under 24-hour intensive observation. The medical team, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, includes local and international specialists, with some joining virtually from London and the United States. Initial tests have been completed, and she is receiving antibiotics and emergency treatment. Doctors said the next 12 hours will be crucial in determining her progress. Her personal physician, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, stated that she is receiving the highest level of medical attention and that there is no immediate cause for extreme concern.

The High Court of Bangladesh has released a full verdict stating that the government, not pharmaceutical companies, will determine the prices of life-saving medicines. The ruling, published on November 24, follows a public interest litigation filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh against a 2018 circular that limited the government’s authority to price only 117 essential drugs. The court, led by Justices Rezaul Hasan and Biswajit Debnath, declared the circular illegal and directed relevant authorities to fix and publish the prices of life-saving drugs in the official gazette. The petitioners argued that restricting government control over drug pricing infringes upon citizens’ right to life and health. The decision reinstates the government’s full authority under the 1982 Drug Control Ordinance, reversing earlier limitations imposed in 1994 that allowed manufacturers to set prices for most medicines.