United News of Bangladesh

  The icddr,b is managing a dedicated Zakat Fund to support eligible poor patients, enabling low-income families to access life-saving treatment at its hospitals. Beneficiaries are identified through a structured verification process to ensure compliance with Islamic guidance and the responsible use of Zakat contributions, said a press release. Last year, around 4,000 patients received treatment through the fund, helping low-income families meet urgent medical expenses. icddr,b said the initiative reflects its continued commitment to equitable healthcare and support for disadvantaged communities. Those seeking to ensure that their Zakat directly supports verified, low-income patients in urgent need of medical care can find more information at donate.icddrb.org and through other authorised healthcare institutions, it added. Every year, icddr,b’s hospitals in Dhaka, Matlab, and Teknaf provide free treatment to over 3 lakhpatients, most of them are children from very low-income households. Illness like diarrhoea, pneumonia, and severe malnutrition hit these communities hardest, it said. While the average cost of full treatment is just 3 thousand taka per child, for manyfamilies, this modest sum is out of reach. A single Zakat contribution can fully finance one child’s treatment, it added.

icddr,b and Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen icddr,b’s ongoing Covid-19 emergency response.   At a time when the entire world is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and international resources are channelled to global efforts to fight this pandemic, icddr,b made an appeal to local community for support to its Covid-19 emergency response, according to a press release.   Aa per the agreement, Unilever Bangladesh will provide USD 52,000 cash support for personal protective equipment to icddr,b’s clinical laboratory services, and establishment of a temporary patient care facility.   Besides, Unilever Bangladesh will provide its health and hygiene products, medical and lab equipment, and Covid-19 testing kits to icddr,b.   Unilever Bangladesh has already pledged BDT 200 million to help the nation in its fight against COVID–19.   The commitment includes measures such as product donations, creating awareness, improving health infrastructure, protecting its people and livelihoods. As part of commitment and desire to support the philanthropic initiatives of icddr,b, Unilever Bangladesh came up with a mixed approach of cash and in kind support to icddr,b.   icddr,b has been contributing to the plans and actions of the government of Bangladesh in its Covid-19 response through providing free of charge testing support, disease surveillance, strengthening of laboratory capacity, and technical assistance among others.   icddr,b is also implementing global best practices and safety protocols for its own caregivers, researchers and staff for ensuring the continuity of its free of charge diarrhoeal disease treatment and other essential research activities even during the ongoing global pandemic.   Besides, as part of icddr,b’s commitment to solve public health challenges, it is also planning on interventions and epidemiological research related to Covid-19.   On the occasion, icddr,b’s Executive Director Professor John D Clemens said, “While we brace for the impact of Covid-19, I would like to thank Unilever Bangladesh for their gracious support to us. It is our honour to serve the people of Bangladesh during this unparalleled time of need. Together, we will weather the storm.”   Kedar Lele, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd said, “It’s our responsibility to reach out to as many people as possible and help them in their fight against the virus. Considering the scale of the challenge and in order to address it at multiple levels, we’re collaborating with the government, health institutions, implementation partners and civil society.”   “We believe this is the beginning of a new partnership to save essential lives and it’ll help continueicddr,b in its efforts to reduce the Covid-19 pandemic impact," he added.

Two minor children drowned in a pond on Saturday morning in Dashmari Satbaria area of the city.