Dhaka
Construction worker dies after falling off building in Dhaka
A 32-year-old worker died after falling off an under-construction building in the capital’s Bhasantek area Tuesday afternoon.
Md Julhas Mridha was the son of late Hamid Mridha, of Banakata area under Dohar police station in Dhaka.
Read more: Worker dies falling off under-construction building in capital
Monir Hossain, a co-worker of the victim, said Julhas fell off the third floor of the 10-storey under-construction building in the Bhasanteke area while he was working, leaving him critically injured.
He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where physicians pronounced him dead upon arrival, said Md Bachhu Mia, inspector of the hospital police outpost.
Read more: Worker dies falling off under-construction building in city
The body was kept at the hospital’s morgue for autopsy, he added.
Hydraulic horns to be banned in Dhaka in 2 months, says environment minister
The government has decided to ban the use of hydraulic horns in vehicles in the next two months to reduce noise pollution in the capital, said Environment Minister Shahab Uddin on Tuesday.
“Today we have decided that the hydraulic horn will be completely banned by next December-January. We hope we will be able to ban it with your (journalists) cooperation,” he said at a press conference on the expectations and achievements of COP27 at the secretariat.
Read more: COP27: Bangladesh prioritises realisation of green climate fund, Environment Minister tells UNB
Shahab Uddin said meetings were held with those concerned including the drivers' association over noise pollution.
Regarding the ban on polythene, he said they are taking action against those who produce polythene.
To reduce the use of polythene, the ministry has taken a plan to produce ‘Sonali Bag’ from jute, he added.
Read more: Double agricultural production by 2030 to ease climate change impacts, says Environment Minister
“We will be able to stop the use of polythene when we can market Sonali Bag,” he added.
7.1 million Bangladeshis displaced by climate change in 2022: WHO
With an aim to support countries and territories to build professional competence and capacity to adequately address refugee and migrant health issues, the World Health Organization (WHO) is organising the third edition of its annual Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health in Dhaka with a focus on capacity-building.
Over five days, from November 28 to December 2, policymakers, UN partner agencies, academia, members of civil society, and stakeholders at the Global School will exchange knowledge and experiences to address key elements of capacity-building.
The e-learning hybrid event hosted by the Ministry of Health, Bangladesh will be streamed globally.
Read more: COP27: How will UN climate deal on loss and damage work?
Globally, one in eight or over one billion people today are migrants with 281 million international migrants and many million individuals who are stateless, WHO said.
Climate change, rising inequality, conflicts, trade, and population growth are accelerating these trends.
The health workforce has a vital role in providing for the health rights and needs of refugees and migrants.
Read more: Climate Change: UN, Bangladesh to strengthen cooperation
“Migration and displacement can have deep and long-lasting impacts on physical and mental health and well-being, and cultural and linguistic differences, financial barriers, stigma and discrimination can all hamper access to health services for refugees and migrants,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General on Monday.
“Health workers have a crucial role in helping to overcome these barriers. The WHO Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health is a valuable resource for building the capacity of health workers to better serve refugees and migrants.”
While not all refugees and migrants are vulnerable, often they are, due to an array of determinants, from xenophobia and discrimination to poor living, housing, and working conditions, and inadequate access to health services that are people-centered and which are sensitive to refugee and migrant health needs.
Read More: Time running out for climate negotiators over loss and damage
“Human right to health is a right that extends to all people everywhere, especially refugees and migrants. Because to be truly respected, protected and fulfilled, a right must be fully enjoyed by the most marginalized and vulnerable – those at risk of or who are already being left behind, which often includes people on the move,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia addressing the participants.
Held in a different location each year, the Global School aims to leverage the learnings and experiences of countries in close collaboration with WHO and governments.
This year, over 7.1 million Bangladeshis were displaced by climate change, a number that could reach 13.3 million by 2050, according to WHO.
Read More: UN climate talks drag into extra time with scant progress
Since 1978, the country has also witnessed three major influxes of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals totalling more than one million people each with unique medical needs and housed in one of the world’s largest and most densely populated camps in Cox’s Bazar.
“Not only has Bangladesh provided them access to free health care – including, most recently, COVID-19 vaccines – but it has also made concerted efforts to address key social, economic, environmental, and legal vulnerabilities,” said the Regional Director.
“The yearly Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health is a flagship of the WHO Health and Migration Programme and an opportunity to strengthen the strategic and operational collaboration with Regional and country offices on refugee and migrant health towards the implementation of the Global Action Plan on promoting the health of refugees and migrants 2019-2023 (GAP),” said Dr Santino Severoni, Director of the Health and Migration Programme.
Read More: UNICEF wants investment in world's first child-focused climate risk financing solution
Open to all audiences, the Global School aims to reach a diverse audience of policy makers, health sector managers, and officers working at different levels within Ministries of Health.
Researchers, University students, nongovernmental agencies, youth representatives and journalists also participate.
“From each context to the next, no challenge is the same, nor will there be the solution. But of critical need to all countries and health systems is a health workforce that is well-trained, culturally sensitive and competent, and which is sensitive to the needs of refugees and migrants, their languages and unique health problems,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.
Read More: EU shakes up climate talks with surprise disaster fund offer
Dhaka's air quality 'unhealthy' this morning
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone on Monday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 159 at 9 am, Dhaka ranked 13th in the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Read more: Dhaka ranks 5th worst in Air Quality Index
Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and Kolkata occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 454, 226 and 187, respectively.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. In Bangladesh, the AQI score is based on five kinds of pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
Read more: Dhaka's air quality continues to be 'unhealthy'
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Dhaka’s air 4th most polluted in the world this morning
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone on Saturday (November 26, 2022) morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 169 at 9am, Dhaka ranked fourth in the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.
Dhaka AQI and Air Pollution
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and Kolkata occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 467, 243 and 179, respectively.
Read more: Dhaka’s air quality turns ‘unhealthy’
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. In Bangladesh, the AQI score is based on five kinds of pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Effects of Air Pollution on Health
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
Read more: Dhaka’s air remains ‘unhealthy’
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Even after over 2 decades, IORA market not fully explored by member states: Momen
The 22nd IORA Council of Ministers meeting began at a Dhaka hotel on Thursday morning. With Bangladesh being the current IORA Chair, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen is chairing the meeting.
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an inter-governmental organisation which was established on March 7, 1997. There are 23 member states of IORA and 10 dialogue partners.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today sought everyone’s support and contribution to take IORA to a new height.
Read more: IORA ministers meet Thursday, Momen for making the best use of sea
“We will work together for ensuring sustainable development through maximum use of marine resources, keeping our oceans healthy. Let this be our commitment today,” he said while delivering the opening remarks at the IORA Council of Ministers meeting.
“Without hesitation, I can say despite the potential for trade and investment, even after more than two decades, the IORA market is not fully explored by its member states,” Momen said.
Momen said, it is important to rethink the intra-IORA trade and investment dynamics and adopt an approach that would help untap the trade and investment potential.
Read more: IORA Meetings to focus on undertaking larger projects
Strengthening economic relations among IORA member states through a regional trade agreement and the elimination of intra IORA trade and investment barriers are now more important than ever, he said.
Dhaka’s air 4th most polluted in the world this morning
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone on Thursday (November 25, 2022) morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 206 at 9:30 am, Dhaka ranked fourth in the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality.
Dhaka AQI and Air Pollution
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Read more: Dhaka’s air quality stays ‘unhealthy’
Iraq’s Baghdad, Pakistan’s Lahore and Karachi occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 337, 255 and 221, respectively.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI score is based on five kinds of pollutants — particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Read More: Indian youth on plastic pollution awareness tour now in Chandpur
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Effects of Air Pollution on Health
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Read more: Dhaka's air quality turns 'moderate'
Indian minister of state for external affairs in Dhaka to join IORA meeting
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh arrived in Dhaka Wednesday to attend the 22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA Council of Ministers (COM) meeting Thursday.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay K Verma welcomed the minister of state for external affairs and education.
Rajkumar Ranjan was received by Rokebul Haque, director general (South Asia) of the foreign ministry, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Bangladesh, the current Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) chair, will host the 22nd IORA COM meeting.
The 24th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) was held at a Dhaka hotel during November 22-23.
Read more: IORA ministers meet Thursday, Momen for making the best use of sea
Momen ‘surprised’ to see his name as chief guest at Bay of Bengal Conversation 2022 opening
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen says he was surprised to see his name as the “chief guest” at the inaugural session of Bay of Bengal Conversation 2022.
“It’s very unfortunate,” Momen said while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Read more: Diplomats should remember Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign country: Momen
The foreign minister said he attended a programme marking 7,000 episodes of the television talk show “Tritiyo Matra” where CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman verbally talked about the event.
“We didn’t give him any date. This is very strange,” Momen said.
The Foreign Minister said he was not going there and at this moment he is very busy with many foreign guests.
Read more: Russian FM Lavrov’s changed decision on Dhaka visit understandable: Momen
“I have plenty of people to meet, including MPs from Assam. I have an obligation to meet them bilaterally (IORA ministers). We are very busy with the state jobs,” he added.
The three-day Bay of Bengal Conversation 2022 began at a Dhaka hotel on Monday.
Air quality in Dhaka 'unhealthy' this morning
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone on Monday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 152 at 9am, the metropolis ranked 14th in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Read more: Dhaka's air quality continues to be 'unhealthy'
Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and Poland’s Krakow occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 354, 263, and 187 respectively.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Read more: As winter approaches, Dhaka's air quality 'unhealthy' in the mornings
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.