United News of Bangladesh

Renowned cardiologist and Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Dr Zubaida Rahman on Thursday inaugurated the ‘Shishu Shorgo Model’ – integrated care and support for children with disabilities – at Korail Slum in the capital. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare arranged the event at the slum ground (Ershad Ground) in the afternoon. Before inaugurating the ‘Shishu Shorgo Model’ aimed at ensuring healthcare and rehabilitation services for children with disabilities, Zubaida Rahman visited various stalls displaying educational materials and essential products for children with special needs. This is the first national initiative in Bangladesh to provide integrated healthcare services for children with disabilities, with plans to expand it nationwide in phases. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit attended the event as the keynote speaker. Special guests included State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Dr SM Ziauddin Hyder, and Executive Director of Ziaur Rahman Foundation Prof Dr Farhad Halim Donar. Health and Family Welfare Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury presided over the programme, while Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas attended as co-chair. As part of the healthcare and rehabilitation activities for persons with disabilities, a seminar on the ‘Shishu Shorgo Model’ was also held. Among the distinguished guests at the seminar were UNICEF acting Representative in Bangladesh Stanley Gwavuya, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam (Riju), Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Safiqul Islam Khan, and Prime Minister’s Assistant Personal Physician Dr ANM Monowarul Kadir (Bitu), among others. The ‘Shishu Shorgo Model’ initiative aims to identify children with disabilities across the country and ensure integrated healthcare services, support and social inclusion for them. The programme formally begins its journey through integrated service delivery for children with disabilities living in the Korail Slum.

Renowned cardiologist and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman on Monday inaugurated a free heart health camp at Korail slum in the capital’s Mohakhali area. The free heart camp and medicine distribution programme was organised by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a pro-BNP doctors’ body, marking the birth anniversary of late President Ziaur Rahman. The programme was held at the Ansar Camp ground in the Korail slum area in the afternoon. Local residents availed themselves of free medical check-ups and medicines from the camp. Read More: Zubaida, Zaima reach Gulshan residence Specialist doctors examined patients and provided necessary treatment and medical advice. Dr Zubaida Rahman talked to several patients during the programme, listened to their health issues, gave advice on heart care and general health, especially for underprivileged people living in the area. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Abdus Salam, Prof Farhad Halim Donar and Ward No-19 Councillor Abdul Alim Naki were, among others, present at the programme. Later, Dr Zubaida Rahman visited the office of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF), where she listened to various health problems of women and provided necessary medical advice. Read More: Dr Zubaida flies back to London ZRF Executive Director and DAB Chief Adviser Prof Dr Farhad Halim Donar, DAB Treasurer Dr Mehedi Hasan, Joint Secretary General Dr ANM Manowarul Qadir Bitu, specialised medical camp coordinator Dr Ziaul Karim, Dr Mostafa Aziz Suman, Prof Dr Mohammad Safiuddin and Professor Dr Khabir Uddin, along with other specialist doctors, were present on the occasion.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday pledged to stand by the residents of Korail Slum and work to improve their living conditions, saying his politics is centred on improving the lives of ordinary people. “The house where I grew up, after independence, was demolished and flattened by the autocratic government… You saw it with your own eyes. I am now your son. I will stand by you and by the people of this area,” he said. Tarique made the remarks while attending a milad and doa mahfil organised by residents of Korail at the T&T Colony field in Mohakhali, seeking divine blessings for the salvation of the departed soul of late BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. BNP awaits landslide victory; some parties don’t want election: Fakhrul The doa mahfil was conducted by Abdu Salam, chief coordinator of BNP’s election steering committee for Dhaka-17 constituency. Tarique Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman also attended the programme.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday (November 25) expressed deep concern and sympathy after a devastating fire swept through the capital’s Korail slum, destroying a large number of homes and leaving many families displaced. He wished quick recovery for the injured and conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the affected families. “The suffering of the families who lost their homes in the Korail fire is a shared pain for all of us. The government will ensure all necessary support for their rehabilitation,” the Chief Adviser said in a statement. Fire ravages Korail slum, leaving dwellers devastated amid water crisis He said the authorities concerned have been instructed to immediately intensify rescue and relief operations. He also directed the relevant officials to investigate the cause of the fire and take effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

A massive fire swept through the Korail slum on Tuesday evening (November 25), leaving hundreds of residents scrambling for safety and destroying everything in its path. The blaze, which intensified rapidly, gave many slum families no chance to salvage their belongings. Amid the chaos, Rozina, a resident, broke down in tears on the roadside after fleeing her burning home. “I couldn’t save a single thing,” she cried. “Everything we owned—earned through so much struggle—burned to ashes. Why would Allah show us something like this?” she said before collapsing into sobs. Read more: Recent fire incidents highlight safety challenges in Bangladesh: Experts Another resident, Kamal, was seen running with a television on his head and a gas cylinder clutched in his hand. “These are the only two things I have saved,” he said breathlessly. “Everything else turned to dust before my eyes.” Amid the flames, schoolboy Rafi and his mother Rahima were spotted rushing out of their home with a heavy sack and two large bags. With the family’s male members away, the mother and son struggled to save what they could. “Our house caught fire too,” Rahima said. “This is the second fire we’ve faced in six years. We managed to escape with some belongings last time, but this time even our costly furniture couldn’t be saved.” Meanwhile, firefighters faced severe challenges in controlling the blaze due to an acute shortage of water. Water-carrying vehicles were delayed as they became stuck in traffic, forcing authorities to resort to an emergency alternative. Three generators were installed beside a nearby waterbody to pump water directly to the scene. Multiple hoses were connected to disperse water toward the burning structures, as firefighters battled to bring the flames under control. Read more: Gazipur coil factory fire under control Despite their efforts, the extent of destruction is expected to be significant, with hundreds of families now homeless and waiting for relief. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire or the full scale of the damage. Earlier, Talha Bin Jashim, duty officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell, said the fire originated from one of the shanties of the slum around 5:22pm. Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Operations & Maintenance) Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said the flames are gradually decreasing. “We have strengthened our operations here, and nearly 20 units are now working at the scene,” he said. “We have managed to confine the fire. The next step is to identify the source of the blaze. We hope to share some good news within the next couple of hours. However, nothing can be said with certainty at this moment,” he added. Read more: Top Strategies to Enhance Fire Resilience in Dhaka City

The fire that broke out at Korail slum in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon was fully doused. The fire broke out at the slum around 4:15 pm, said Anwarul Islam, a warehouse inspector at the Fire Service and Civil Defence(FSCD) headquarters media cell. On information, seven firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control around 5.15 pm. However, it took two hours for firefighters to extinguished the blaze fully, he said. He added that the origin of the fire and the extent of the damage were not immediately known.