The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert regarding three Indian-made cough syrups found to contain dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical. The syrups—Coldref by Shresan Pharmaceuticals, Respifresh TR by Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Relife by Shape Pharma—were intended for children aged one to five. WHO tests revealed the presence of the chemical at concentrations 500 times higher than the approved limit. The alert follows the deaths of 17 Indian children in August after consuming Coldref syrup. Similar incidents in 2023 caused 141 child deaths in Uzbekistan, Cameroon, and The Gambia from contaminated Indian syrups. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has acknowledged the WHO warning and promised stricter quality monitoring and regulatory actions to prevent future tragedies.

Global health authorities warn that typhoid, once easily treated with antibiotics, is returning in a far more dangerous form. Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, particularly spreading from Pakistan, no longer respond to traditional or even newer antibiotics. In the UK alone, 702 confirmed cases were reported in 2024, an 8% increase from the previous year, mostly among travelers returning from high-risk countries. Research from Stanford University shows that resistant bacteria are rapidly replacing normal strains and spreading internationally. Experts warn that data from Africa and Oceania is limited, suggesting the real scale may be underestimated. Oral antibiotics still work in some cases, but their effectiveness is declining. Health authorities emphasize urgent global surveillance, new treatment development, and vaccination programs to curb this escalating threat. Typhoid is quietly becoming a major global health emergency.

Two more students injured in the tragic Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College have been discharged from the hospital, officials confirmed.

Dr. Shawon, Resident Surgeon at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, identified the discharged students as Niloy (13), a sixth-grader, and Rupi Barua (10), a fifth-grader.

“Both Niloy and Rupi sustained serious flame burns—25% and 20% of their bodies, respectively,” Dr. Shawon said. “They have now recovered enough to return home. Currently, eight students remain admitted, while 28 have been discharged so far.”

The devastating accident has already claimed 20 lives among those hospitalized, he added.

Tensions flared at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after the death of a child allegedly due to medical negligence led to violent clashes between patient relatives and trolley men.
The incident left trolley man Jewel injured, who was later admitted to the hospital’s One-Stop Emergency Centre.
Witnesses said the child died in Ward 210 at night, prompting relatives to accuse doctors of negligence. The dispute escalated when the grieving family confronted hospital staff at the emergency department, leading to scuffles with Ansar members. As Jewel intervened, he was severely beaten by the angry relatives, who also called in reinforcements from outside.
Police intervened, detaining three relatives—Samir (30), Soeb (21), and Rezaul (25). Additional security has since been deployed, and the situation remains under control.

Authorities in Natore have suspended all medical services at a private hospital following preliminary evidence of malpractice. Civil Surgeon Dr. Muktadir Arefin confirmed the order against Al-Hera Hospital & Diagnostic Center, owned by Dr. Shamim Uddin.

The case came to light when Manik Mia, a garment worker from Narayanpur, was admitted for abdominal pain on July 27. Dr. Shamim performed an appendectomy the same day, but the patient’s condition worsened over the following week. He was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College, where doctors identified faulty treatment.

Manik Mia, now struggling with mounting medical expenses, alleged threats from Dr. Shamim’s side after raising complaints. In response, leaders of the Natore Clinic Owners’ Association have extended Tk 10,000 in assistance to the patient’s family.

Rohan (14), a student who suffered severe burns in the Milestone Air Force training plane crash, has made a remarkable recovery. He was discharged from the National Burn Institute on Monday. Institute Director Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin confirmed that Rohan, who was admitted with burns covering more than 45% of his body, is now in good health.
Currently, 15 more students—10 female and 5 male—are undergoing treatment at the institute, all reported to be out of danger. Earlier, on September 3, five students were released after recovery.
The tragic crash has so far claimed 36 lives, with 20 deaths reported at the Burn Institute alone. In total, 57 injured students had been admitted following the incident.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued eight strict directives aimed at safeguarding the professional reputation of government doctors and curbing undue influence of pharmaceutical companies inside hospitals.

Key provisions include:

Doctors are prohibited from prescribing on pads branded with private diagnostic centers, clinics, or pharmaceutical companies.

Patients cannot be directed to purchase medicines or undergo tests outside the government hospital if those services are available in-house.

Private seals cannot be used; only generic-name stamps without advertisements are allowed.

Lists of company-supplied medicines cannot be placed on hospital desks.

Representatives of pharmaceutical companies are forbidden from collecting prescriptions or personal patient data.

Company representatives may only meet doctors on Mondays and Thursdays between 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm. Outside of these hours, legal action will be taken against violators.

Representatives must display company-issued ID cards visibly during visits.

The DGHS has warned that any breach of these directives will result in strict legal action against both the companies and the doctors involved.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Director Brig. Gen. Md. Asaduzzaman on Monday confirmed that the health condition of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) President Nurul Haque Nur has significantly improved. Following his progress, doctors transferred him from the ICU to a cabin.
Nur and several party leaders were injured last Friday night in an alleged joint forces attack after a series of clashes and stone-throwing incidents with the Jatiya Party.

Gana Adhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur is currently receiving treatment in the ICU at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). A CT scan of his head was completed in the morning, confirmed Inspector Md. Faruk, in-charge of the hospital police camp.

Following the scan, Nur was shifted back to the ICU. Hospital Director Brigadier General Md. Asaduzzaman stated that a six-member medical board has already been formed for Nur’s treatment. “The board will sit for a discussion today. Nur has regained consciousness but has sustained injuries to his head and nose. It will take at least 48 hours before we can assess his condition with certainty,” he added.

Remembering the founder of BIRDEM Hospital, Associate Professor Dr. Sayedur Rahman highlighted the lasting legacy of National Professor Ibrahim.

Speaking at a commemorative program, Dr. Rahman said:

“Even if books are written about Professor Ibrahim, his story would remain incomplete. In Dhaka Medical College, some mocked his work in the classroom, but nobody remembers them today. What people do remember is that Professor Ibrahim created the world’s largest non-profit healthcare organization.”

Dr. Rahman expressed concern over the prevailing competitive mindset in the country, saying:

“Our environment drives us only to compete with one another. The willingness to share knowledge or success is rare. To build collaboration and coordination among hospital teams, we need more institutions like BIRDEM.”

Despite its limitations, BIRDEM continues to set an example in both quality and service, he added.

The government is working to set standardized fees for diagnostic tests to reduce healthcare costs, said Prof. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Health Minister.

Speaking at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Center on Tuesday, he said the Health Ministry is collaborating with a WHO team to finalize the structure. He added that 10,000 physician posts are vacant nationwide, with 3,000 new doctors to be recruited in the first phase.

The ministry is also finalizing a framework for fair medicine pricing to ease patients’ financial burdens.

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum has announced that a 560-bed hospital for heart disease, kidney ailments, and cancer treatment has been approved for Rangpur.

Although her government may not be able to start construction, she said the next administration will implement the project.

Speaking on healthcare planning, Nurjahan criticized previous authorities for failing to ensure adequate manpower for hospitals, even when procuring medical equipment. “Hospitals need both equipment and staff. Without proper planning, we cannot suddenly make these facilities operational,” she said.

She also confirmed that decisions regarding the location of a new hospital with Chinese support would be finalized after further site inspections.

“The July revolution brought sacrifices, but those responsible for syndicates have not changed,” she remarked, stressing the need for systematic, step-by-step reform in the healthcare sector.

The Health Department reported that five people died from dengue in the past 24 hours, while 311 others were admitted to hospitals with dengue fever. Among the deceased were three women and two men. This brings the total dengue fatalities this year to 110, including 64 men and 46 women. Between 8 AM Wednesday and 8 AM Thursday, hospital admissions included 112 in Dhaka city hospitals, 42 in the Dhaka division, 37 in Chattogram, 82 in Barishal, 15 in Khulna, 21 in Rajshahi, and 2 in Mymensingh. Since January, 27,782 dengue patients have been hospitalized nationwide.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has underscored the need to build a healthy and resilient new generation despite challenges, saying it is essential for Bangladesh’s development.

“Without skilled and efficient human resources, neither personal lives nor national progress can be ensured,” Yunus said.

Pointing to the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), he noted that 71% of all deaths in Bangladesh are caused by NCDs, with 51% occurring below the age of 70. Out-of-pocket health spending is around 69%, much of it on NCDs.

He stressed that along with better healthcare, awareness and preventive measures must be strengthened to reduce the burden of these diseases.

Bangladeshi doctors have successfully implanted a venous P-valve in a child heart patient without surgery for the first time in the country. Two more children are scheduled to receive the same procedure on Wednesday.

Additionally, a mitral valve implantation in a child—only the second such case in Bangladesh—will also take place.

The groundbreaking procedures are being carried out during the country’s first National Interventional Pediatric Cardiology Congress, organized by Kids Heart Foundation in Dhaka. Health Ministry’s Special Assistant Professor Dr. Sayedur Rahman attended as chief guest.