No Monkeypox cases have been detected in Bangladesh so far, said Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). “We have taken all necessary preparations to provide treatment for Monkeypox virus although we have not yet found any patient infected with the virus in the country,” he said. Also read: Monkeypox: Govt orders screening passengers at all airports, land ports Ther BSMMU VC revealed the information while talking at a press briefing held at Shaheed Dr Milton Hall on Tuesday. He also urged people to not to be  panicked hearing any  rumour. Prof. Sharfuddin said Monkeypox cases have been  reported recently in 14 countries including the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Australia and Canada. Already, the health authorities have alerted all land ports and airports to prevent spread of the virus, he said. Monkeypox is a DNA virus. It is believed that it can be transmitted if people came in contact with infected animals or take inadequately cooked meat, said the BSMMU VC. The symptoms of the virus are Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), cold, fever, perspiration, headache, backache, loss of appetite, breathing problem and cough, he said. Also read: New Monkeypox Outbreak: What We Know So Far BSMMU VC also advised  people to refrain from getting close to infected or suspected animals. But if anyone found infected he/she should stay in isolation until their lesions have crusted. Referring to the Facebook post over detection of first Monkeypox case at BSMMU that went viral, Prof. Sharfuddin said assistance was sought from the Cyber Crime Investigation Division of Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit of police verbally to  identify those involved in spreading the rumour.

Intake of excessive amounts of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) or gastric medications can cause gastric ulcers among 45 per cent of patients, said the doctors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on Sunday. “If we lead life in a disciplined manner, we can get rid of acidity. If you do not suffer from acidity, you do not need to take medicine either,” said BSMMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed at a seminar titled 'Overuse of PPI: A review of emerging concern'. Also read: BSMMU VC warns against excessive use of antibiotics Proton-pump inhibitors are drugs whose main function is to reduce the secretion of acid from the parietal cells of the stomach. And excessive consumption of this drug damages micro nutrients, resulting in fractures of the body. PPI also creates deficiency of Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin-12, and Iron in the human body, said the doctors. “However, consumption of PPI cannot be stopped suddenly. PPI has to be reduced gradually by two weeks, one week. Medications can be taken once a day, one after two days.” Most of the gastric medicines are being sold without any prescriptions. Pharmacy shopkeepers are providing gastric medicine when the patients come with various complications including diarrhoea, constipation, different kinds of stomach pain to gastric issues, which can be solved by drinking a little water or using some light medicine. Besides, in the case of treating gastric issues, intake of medicines may cause malnutrition, dementia, cancer and many other health complications, said the doctors. At the same time, the expert demanded that policy needs be formed to reduce the use of excessive gastric medicine. They said the sale of gastric medicine without a doctor's prescription should be stopped. They said If it were possible to supervise the trading of medicines, it would be possible to control the use of these excessive gastric medicines. Also read: 88% Covid patients in Bangladesh infected with Omicron variant: BSMMU survey Meanwhile, due to the antibiotic resistance, more people will die by 2050 than coronavirus in the country, BSMMU doctors warned. “Many of us consume a steroid from time to time which is also alarming for our body,” said one of the doctors. BSMMU VC Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin called for adherence to hygiene rules to contain the coronavirus outbreak as well as to be aware of Monkeypox.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) is going to present soon the results of performance trial of the coronavirus antibody testing kit developed by Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) .

The condition of Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury remained unchanged as his lungs have been infected with Covid pneumonia.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Monday said he was diagnosed with coronavirus.

The authorities of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on Saturday formed a six-member committee to conduct the performance study of the Covid-19 rapid testing kits developed by Gonoshasthaya Kendra.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra has finally got the permission to get tested the performance of its Covid-19 rapid testing kits.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was released on Wednesday from jail for six months suspending her sentences following an executive order over 25 months after she had been convicted and sent to jail in graft cases.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was released from jail for six months following an executive order, reached her posh Gulshan residence, ‘Firoza’, on Wednesday afternoon after two years, one month and 16 days.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be released from jail for six months suspending her sentences upon two conditions, said Law Minister Anisul Huq on Tuesday.