United News of Bangladesh

Five children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Friday, bringing the combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 810 in the country. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), all the latest fatalities were suspected measles deaths. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 715, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained 95. A total of 950 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 122,150. Meanwhile, 187 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 15,194. Since March 15, a total of 104,717 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 101,056 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

Bangladesh will take all necessary measures to completely eliminate cataract blindness within the next four to five years, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit has said on Thursday. "Through a national roadmap implemented with coordinated efforts from the public, private and NGO sectors, it is possible to eliminate cataract blindness in Bangladesh within the next four to five years," the state minister said while addressing a stakeholder consultation workshop titled "Advanced Eye Care in Bangladesh: Action Plan for Reducing Visual Impairment and Preventing Blindness" at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. He also emphasised delivering high-tech eye care services to the country's most marginalised and poor populations as a civic right, through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology. The state minister noted that Bangladesh's public sector, private initiatives and NGOs are all doing commendable and visible work in eye care. However, he said, a national initiative is being undertaken because there is no unified, common reporting system connecting these efforts. "This sector will not change in a day, so we are moving forward with a five-year perspective plan." Muhit said that in the first year itself, existing eye care facilities and planning at district hospitals will be reassessed and effective steps taken accordingly, including recruitment of additional manpower where needed and a strong push to build capacity at district-level hospitals. Giving specific directions on extending eye care to people of all ages, the state minister said coordinated campaigns and programmes will be launched to identify vision problems among schoolchildren and provide them with necessary glasses. "Eye health of working people at factories, offices and other institutions will also be looked after, with arrangements made to provide them with glasses as well." He said a large-scale cataract surgery programme will be undertaken to address cataracts among the elderly, adding that performing several hundred thousand successful surgeries every year could make the country free of cataract blindness within the next four to five years. Muhit said modern technology offers vast opportunities in treating emerging eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. "We can introduce an AI-based enhanced screening system. The use of technology has made community outreach and field-level service delivery far easier than before. We want high-tech eye care to reach the doorsteps of marginalised people, not remain confined to the wealthy in cities." Referring to the shortage of skilled manpower as a major challenge in the eye care sector, the state minister said, "We must give the highest priority to human resource development and training cadres. There are already many good training institutions in the NGO and private sectors in the country. We need to increase the number and quality of all public and private institutions to make it easier for physicians to acquire the necessary skills." Senior ophthalmologists, academics, experienced physicians working at district and peripheral levels, and representatives of international organisations took part in the workshop's open discussion session.

With the support of Dhaka North City Corporation and Gulshan Society, 'Miss World Bangladesh 2026' Samanjar Sayeed has launched a nationwide hygiene awareness campaign titled 'Hygiene for Bangladesh'. The programme was jointly inaugurated by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Gulshan Society President Barrister Omar Sadat and Miss World Bangladesh Samanjar Sayeed at the capital's Gulshan Lake Park on Wednesday evening. The organisers said that the campaign will bring together young volunteers to spread hygiene awareness nationwide through educational and social awareness programmes. Samanjar Sayeed will represent Bangladesh in the grand final of Miss World 2026 will be held in Nha Trang of Vietnam on September 5, said a press release on Thursday morning. The chief guest of the event, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, said that the government will start a 'home-to-home health screening' programme across the country to identify diseases of the common people at an early stage. He said that every citizen of the country has the right to access healthcare. No one will be deprived of healthcare. To ensure public health care and identify serious diseases at an early stage, the government will start a 'home-to-home health screening' program across the country. Gulshan Society President Barrister Omar Sadat said that in addition to health services at health centres or hospitals, health awareness should be increased in every household.   The event was attended by Azra Mahmud, National Director of Miss World Bangladesh,  Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonya Foundation, Mujibur Rahman Mridha, General Secretary of Gulshan Society, and others. The event concluded with the symbolic release of pigeons and biodegradable balloons and the launch of nationwide volunteer registration.

Six more children died with symptoms consistent with measles in 24 hours until 8:00 am on Wednesday, bringing Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 803. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified the latest deaths as suspected measles fatalities. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 708 while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained unchanged at 95. A total of 904 new suspected measles cases were reported during the period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 120,352. Meanwhile, 133 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 14,841. Since March 15, a total of 103, 078 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 99,294 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

Five more children died with symptoms consistent with measles in 24 hours until 8:00am on Monday, bringing Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 793. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified the latest deaths as suspected measles fatalities. Measles-like symptoms claim 4 more lives With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 698 while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained unchanged at 95. A total of 922 new suspected measles cases were reported during the period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 118,570. Meanwhile, 147 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 14,578. Since March 15, a total of 101, 026 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 97,532 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

Public health and medical experts addressing a BRAC University seminar have called for stronger routine vaccination, research-based decision-making, and coordinated action to address the ongoing measles situation in Bangladesh. The Department of Microbiology under the School of Life Sciences and BRAC University Microbiology Student Council organized the seminar titled “The Resurgence of Measles: Recent Outbreaks in Bangladesh and the Path Forward” at the university auditorium on Sunday, said a media statement. Four more suspected measles deaths reported in Bangladesh, toll reaches 784 Professor Mahmudur Rahman, former director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), stressed the need for high vaccination coverage, robust disease surveillance, rapid outbreak detection, and community engagement to build confidence in vaccines.

One more dengue-related death was reported and 473 new patients were hospilised  across the country in 24 hours until 8:00 am on Sunday. With the latest fatality, the dengue death toll has risen to 34 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new death was reported in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) area. One more dies from dengue; total fatalities at 33 this year During the reporting period, 373 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery. Since January 1, a total of 10,485 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 9,440 have recovered and been discharged.

A five-day international medical mission on Saturday began in Dhaka to provide free reconstructive surgeries to around 100 children with cleft lip and cleft palate from economically disadvantaged families. Md. Ismail Zabihullah, Adviser to the Ministry of Public Administration, inaugurated the mission at Sarkari Karmachari Hospital as the chief guest. Organised by SAJIDA Foundation in partnership with Sarkari Karmachari Hospital, Smile Asia and Dhaka Bank PLC, the initiative has brought together an international team of volunteer healthcare professionals and Bangladeshi physicians to provide specialised, quality and free reconstructive surgeries for children coming from across Bangladesh. Senior government officials, healthcare leaders, development partners, corporate representatives and members of the international medical community joined the event to reaffirm a shared commitment to expanding access to specialised reconstructive healthcare for children. Among the guests were Md. Ehsanul Hoque, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration; Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Secretary, Health Services Division; Md. A. Razzak Sarkar, Director General, Government Employees Hospital; Md. Fazlul Hoque, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SAJIDA Foundation; Osman Ershad Faiz, Managing Director of Dhaka Bank PLC; and Abhimanyu Talukdar, Secretary General of Smile Asia. The mission will run from 18 to 22 July 2026, with 38 medical professionals from eight countries working alongside Bangladeshi healthcare providers to perform cleft lip and palate surgeries. The multidisciplinary team includes plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, therapists and other specialists volunteering their expertise to help children eat, speak and live healthier, more confident lives. Speaking at the inauguration, chief guest Md. Ismail Zabihullah said, “I am proud to inaugurate this noble initiative today. This mission is restoring children’s smiles, confidence, and easing their parents’ worries. It’s a reminder that humanitarian work knows no borders.” Md. A. Razzak Sarkar, Director General of Government Employees Hospital, said, “We’re happy to collaborate once again with our partners, building on the success of last year’s mission. I thank everyone who has joined this initiative, including the medical teams who have traveled from eight countries to be here.” Md. Fazlul Hoque, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SAJIDA Foundation, said, “Through countrywide coverage, we were able to onboard over 200 patients for this year’s mission. Health remains a priority sector for SAJIDA Foundation, and we look forward to continuing such humanitarian initiatives in partnership with the government and our partners.” Osman Ershad Faiz, Managing Director of Dhaka Bank PLC, said, “Because of the dedication and support of all our partners, these children will receive new smiles today. Dhaka Bank is proud to stand beside this humanitarian initiative, beyond our banking operations.” Abhimanyu Talukdar, Secretary General of Smile Asia, said, “Over the years, Smile Asia has completed more than 500 surgeries in Bangladesh and we look forward to doing even more. With volunteers from eight countries joining us this year, I’m confident this will be a successful mission.” Cleft lip and palate remain among the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies worldwide, affecting approximately one in every 500 to 600 live births. In Bangladesh alone, more than 5,000 children are born with these conditions every year. While cleft lip and palate are highly treatable through timely surgery, thousands of children continue to live without treatment because specialised surgical services remain inaccessible for many families due to financial hardship, geographical barriers and limited availability of expert care. Left untreated, children often face difficulties with feeding, speech development, hearing and nutrition, with lasting effects on their education, mental wellbeing and overall quality of life. A call centre for Government Employees Hospital was also inaugurated during the event to strengthen patient-centred healthcare services.  

One dengue-related death was reported and 242 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the 24 hours until 8:00 am on Saturday. With the latest fatality, the dengue death toll has risen to 33 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new death was reported in Khulna Division out of City Corporation. During the reporting period, 241 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery. Heavy rains, waterlogging heighten dengue risk in Dhaka Since January 1, a total of 10,012 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 9,062 have recovered and been discharged.

Four children died with symptoms consistent with measles in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Saturday, bringing Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 784. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified the latest deaths as suspected measles fatalities. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 689, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained unchanged at 95. One suspected measles death reported in 24 hours A total of 699 new suspected measles cases were reported during the period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 116,710. Meanwhile, 74 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 14,318. Since March 15, a total of 99,249 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 95,529 have recovered, according to DGHS data.