United News of Bangladesh

As Bangladesh sets its sights on becoming a developed nation, systemic corruption remains one of its most formidable obstacles, infiltrating every stratum of society – from mega infrastructure projects to the most basic public services. From glistening billboards heralding “mega development” to hollow concrete shells gathering dust, the nation’s ambitious growth narrative is increasingly undermined by a sobering reality – corruption is throttling progress and betraying the very people it purports to uplift. Court imposes travel ban on Hanif, his family over corruption In recent years, billions of taka have been funnelled into infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Yet many of these projects exist only on paper or lie incomplete, leaving citizens questioning where the money has truly gone. Infrastructure Mirage: Projects Built to Siphon, Not Serve Over the past decade, Bangladesh has embarked on numerous mega projects – the Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, and countless highways and flyovers.  These undertakings represent national pride but have also become fertile grounds for corruption. A 2023 World Bank study estimated that Bangladesh loses over 2% of its GDP annually to corruption, particularly in public procurement and infrastructure. Experts argue that many of these ventures are conceived not to meet public needs but to create opportunities for kickbacks and fund embezzlement. Consider the road cutting through Kurigram’s remote villages – once paved with optimism, now largely washed away. Court imposes travel ban on ex-AL MP, family in corruption case Villagers alleged that local contractors, shielded by former ruling party leaders, pocketed funds by using substandard materials.  A road meant to benefit 10,000 residents now barely supports foot traffic. “The work was done on paper. The bills cleared. But the road was never meant to last,” said a local union council member, speaking on condition of anonymity. This is far from an isolated case.  A 2022 audit by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) found that over 40% of rural infrastructure projects were plagued by serious irregularities – from fake tenders to work existing solely in documentation. The Case of Vanishing Roads Bangladesh’s rapid economic ascent and ambitious development projects often garner international acclaim.  Yet beneath the surface of gleaming bridges and highways lies a grimmer reality – rampant corruption draining the nation, turning dreams of prosperity into crumbling roads, empty hospitals, and broken public trust. In the rural district of Patuakhali, locals jest about a “road to nowhere.”  Constructed two years ago under a rural development project, the road remains unfinished, barely passable during monsoon, with parts already disintegrating. Allegations quickly surfaced: fake billing, inferior materials, and contractors disappearing post partial completion. Ongoing projects taken by AL govt under scanner for corruption: Adviser “They inaugurated the project with cameras, but now it’s just dust and broken promises,” Abdul Karim, a local farmer, told a local newspaper. Such “ghost roads” are hardly rare. A Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report revealed that nearly 30% of funds earmarked for rural road development are lost to corruption, bribery, and fictitious tenders. All-Weather Road in Kishoreganj Turns into a White Elephant The much-anticipated all-weather road in Kishoreganj – once touted as a transformative infrastructure project aimed at easing transport challenges and stimulating the local economy – is now widely derided as a “white elephant.” Constructed at the cost of several crores of taka, the road was intended to link remote areas of Kishoreganj with the district town, promising year-round accessibility. However, poor planning, shoddy construction, and lack of maintenance have rendered it nearly unusable within just a few years. Locals report that large sections are already riddled with potholes, with some turning to mud pits during the rainy season – negating the very idea of an “all-weather” road. Despite repeated complaints, authorities have yet to take concrete action, fuelling public anger and disappointment. “We had high hopes that this road would change our lives by improving communication and market access, but now it feels like a waste of money,” said Abdul Karim, a resident of Pakundia upazila. Locals have raised serious concerns about the accountability of the contractors and officials involved. Allegations of corruption, use of low-grade materials, and irregularities in project oversight are widespread. Experts warn that without urgent repairs and monitoring, the road will not only fail to serve its purpose but also stand as a glaring testament to misused public funds. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has yet to release an official statement regarding the road’s current state. In the meantime, the so-called all-weather road remains a symbol of frustration and broken promises for the people of Kishoreganj. Health Sector’s Silent Death While glossy budgets for the health sector expand annually, the condition of public hospitals reflects a grim reality of corruption-fuelled neglect.  In Barisal, a newly constructed 100-bed hospital stands eerily silent – no doctors, no nurses, no equipment. The building is complete; the service is non-existent. A TIB investigation found that bribes account for 25% of rural healthcare expenditure, rendering medical services inaccessible to the poor while funds meant for medicine, staffing and equipment are routinely misappropriated. “We built the hospital. But staffing is another project, and that means more money, more bribes. So it remains empty,” admitted a mid-level health department official. The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the extent of the rot. Funds meant for pandemic response were misused – from fake mask deliveries to defective oxygen supplies. Ghost hospitals, phantom patients, and inflated procurement bills became the norm. Hospitals Built but Not for the Sick The healthcare sector’s story is echoed across the country. In Rajshahi, a newly-built 50-bed hospital stands empty – no doctors, no equipment, and no patients. Locals have dubbed it the “hospital of ghosts.”  Though constructed under a health sector project worth hundreds of crores, it remains non-functional due to political favouritism and embezzlement. “Patients are forced to travel 40 kilometres for basic treatment while a fully built hospital is left unused. This is a crime against us,” said Shamsunnahar Begum, a local resident. Corruption in the Shadows From kickbacks in mega projects to grassroots extortion, corruption permeates every sector. Local government officials, political leaders, and contractors form an entrenched network where every link is greased with money.  The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) occasionally launches investigations, but few face tangible consequences. A senior government official, speaking off the record, said, “Many projects are approved just to siphon off funds. The work is secondary.” The true victims of this widespread corruption are ordinary citizens – farmers unable to transport produce, students studying in dilapidated schools, and patients dying without treatment – all because greed is prioritised over service. Economist Dr Nazrul Islam warned, “Corruption is eating away at our development. If this continues, our GDP growth will be meaningless – a number that hides growing inequality and suffering.” Corruption in Bangladesh is not random – it is systemic and politically shielded. From local chairmen to national ministers, a chain of patronage ensures that the corrupt remain protected. Contracts are frequently awarded to those aligned with the ruling party.  Though the ACC occasionally raises its voice, its effectiveness is crippled by political interference. Between 2018 and 2023, over 80% of major corruption cases either stalled or ended with lenient sentencing, according to the Commission’s annual reports. From land development to school construction and relief distribution – all are seen as opportunities for extortion.  Even social safety nets like the “Old Age Allowance” and “VGD Cards” for the poor require bribes for inclusion. “In our area, you need to pay Tk 5,000 to get listed for government relief,” said Shahana Begum, a widow from Narayanganj. Vicious Cycle: Development Without Impact Economists caution that Bangladesh risks falling into a high-growth, low-impact trap – where GDP figures rise but public services collapse. Dr Zillur Rahman, a governance expert, observed, “Bangladesh is building, but not building for people. It’s building for networks of corruption. When roads crumble in two years, when hospitals stand empty, it’s not just waste – it’s theft of people’s future.” The consequences are long-term – poor education, inadequate healthcare, rising inequality, and a disillusioned population. Experts stress that strong political will, independent institutions, and active citizen participation are essential.  Without transparency and accountability, Bangladesh risks becoming a nation of unfulfilled dreams – a country of ghost roads, empty hospitals, and growing despair.   They further recommend enhancing the independence of the ACC with prosecutorial authority, digitising procurement and project monitoring, and reducing human interference to curb corruption. Without sweeping reforms, Bangladesh may become a nation of “ghost projects” – where development is a spectacle, not a service. “We don’t just need roads and hospitals – we need them to work. Otherwise, it’s just concrete and corruption,” lamented a frustrated schoolteacher in Dhaka.      

While educational institutions, offices and banks remain closed for nine days during Eid, hospitals cannot afford such a luxury. The question of whether patients receive the expected level of care during the holiday period and how hospitals operate under such circumstances remains a point of curiosity and concern. Dhaka sees BIMSTEC Summit an opportunity to present "just, inclusive" Bangladesh in South, Southeast Asia A visit to several public and private hospitals in the capital reveals that almost all of them continue to accommodate a significant number of patients. Although the presence of senior consultants is relatively low, medical officers and junior doctors are attending to patients. Nurses and ward boys are also available to ensure continuous care. At Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, around 500 patients remain admitted during Eid. Many of them have not been discharged due to their health conditions. The absence of senior doctors and the uncertainty of their visits during Eid have left patients worried. Ahad Mia (60), a day labourer from Habiganj, has been admitted for over a week due to kidney stones. “The doctors have performed kidney washing, but some stones remain. The doctor advised me to stay here for Eid. So far, there has been no lack of treatment. Doctors have been visiting regularly, but I am unsure how things will go in the coming days,” he shared. Similarly, Safed Howlader (72) from Barguna has been hospitalised for 20 days with a tumour in his bladder. His daughter, Parveen Akter (40), said, “We are receiving good service even during the holidays. However, as senior doctors are not available, the surgery may be postponed until after Eid. His condition has improved significantly.” Regarding the reduced presence of doctors and nurses, senior staff nurse Sadhana Halder explained, “Naturally, the number of doctors and nurses is slightly lower during the Eid holidays. However, it is incorrect to assume that the hospital will be left without medical staff. An on-call doctor is always available to handle any emergency. Non-Muslim doctors and nurses usually cover duties during Eid prayers and the afternoon hours, ensuring no major crisis occurs.” Another senior staff nurse, Beauty Gomez, said, “Many patients voluntarily request discharge before Eid.But, serious patients cannot be released. Tasks such as administering medication, dressing wounds, and pushing injections do not always require senior doctors. Nurses and medical officers can manage these aspects efficiently.” The scenario at Dhaka Medical College Hospital is quite similar. While the emergency department remains active with doctors on standby, the presence of senior consultants in patient wards is noticeably lower. Shilpi Khatun (45), the wife of an admitted patient, said, “Doctors are attending to patients well, but I have heard that senior doctors will not be around. Seeing them reassures us, so their absence is a bit unsettling.” Mishkat (28), a relative of another patient from Gopalganj, shared, “We are receiving services, but they are not up to expectations. However, I have heard that the service quality at public hospitals during Eid is still better than that of private hospitals.” To ensure the availability of essential medical care, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued a 16-point directive. This includes ensuring the presence of adequate medical staff in emergency departments, labour rooms, operating theatres, and laboratories. According to the DGHS, staff leave is scheduled in coordination with Eid holidays to maintain hospital functionality. Public hospitals will suspend outpatient services for three days—on the eve of Eid, the day of Eid, and the day after. Millions leave Dhaka city for Eid, City roads nearly empty However, Professor Dr Md Mahbubul Haque, Director of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, said, “This does not mean that patients will be turned away. If a patient arrives at the outpatient department, they will be redirected to the emergency department for necessary care. The emergency department operates on a roster system, with non-Muslim doctors covering shifts on Eid day. Regardless of the holiday, every effort is made to prevent mismanagement in patient care.” Despite claims that private hospitals offer better services, complaints often arise about their functioning during Eid. Patients have reported that private hospitals frequently halt laboratory services, release patients forcibly before the holiday, and suffer from a lack of available nurses. Sabbir Hossain (37) recounted his experience from a previous Eid saying, “I fell ill on Eid day last year. On my doctor’s advice, I required emergency tests, but I had to run between at least five or six hospitals and diagnostic centres before finally securing the tests through a personal connection.” Private hospital physician Dr Khan Rawat responded to such complaints, stating, “Patients are often eager to return home before Eid, sometimes against medical advice. We understand their sentiment, as everyone wishes to celebrate Eid with their family. Therefore, unless it is a critical case, we try to accommodate discharge requests before the holiday.” He added, “Many people assume that hospitals become deserted on Eid. That is simply not true. After prayers and in the afternoon, senior doctors visit patients. If an emergency arises, medical officers can contact them at any time. There is no reason to believe that medical care is compromised due to the holiday.” To mark Eid, hospitals arrange special meals for patients. According to hospital authorities, breakfast includes semai, bread, bananas, milk, eggs, and biscuits. Lunch consists of pilaf, chicken roast, rezala, egg korma, and soft drinks, while some hospitals also provide apples or oranges afterward. Dinner typically consists of rice, lentils, and vegetables. Millions leave Dhaka for Eid, while some stay behind to fulfil responsibilities Despite these arrangements, no patient wishes to spend Eid in a hospital. For those compelled to do so, complete medical attention remains their primary expectation.

One  more death was reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 565 this year. During the period, 125 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, 28 dengue patients were admitted in hospital under Dhaka North City Corporation while 36 were hospitalized in Dhaka South City Corporation.  Some 946 patients are receiving treatment in different hospitals across the country. Read: Dengue: One more death reported in 24hrs A total of 100,491 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year.

Eight more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 223 this year. During the period, 1, 108 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, 164 dengue patients were admitted in hospital under Dhaka North City Corporation while 174 were hospitalized in Dhaka South City Corporation.  Read: Dengue: One more death reported in 24hrs Some 3,680 patients are receiving treatment in different hospitals across the country. A total of 44, 764 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year.

A large-scale Israeli operation in northern Gaza has killed and wounded dozens of people and threatens to shut down three hospitals over a year into the war with Hamas, Palestinian officials and residents said Wednesday. Heavy fighting is underway in Jabaliya, where Israeli forces carried out several major operations over the course of the war and then returned as militants regroup. The entire north, including Gaza City, has suffered heavy destruction and has been largely isolated by Israeli forces since late last year. The continuing cycle of destruction and death in Gaza, unleashed by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, comes as Israel expands a week-old ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon and considers a major retaliatory strike on Iran. Residents of Jabaliya, a refugee camp dating back to the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation, say heavy airstrikes and evacuation warnings have driven hundreds of people from their homes. An airstrike early Wednesday killed at least nine people, including two women and two children, according to the Al-Ahly Hospital, which received the bodies. Strikes in central Gaza killed another nine people, including three children, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. An Associated Press reporter counted the bodies. The Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday that the overall Palestinian death toll in Gaza since the start of the war has surpassed 42,000, with more than 97,000 others wounded. Palestinians huddle inside as fighting rages Residents of Jabaliya said thousands of people have been trapped in their homes since the operation began Sunday, as Israeli jets and drones buzz overhead and troops battle militants in the streets. “It’s like hell. We can’t get out,” said Mohamed Awda, who lives in Jabaliya with his parents and six siblings. He said there were three bodies in the street outside his home that could not be retrieved because of the fighting. “The quadcopters are everywhere, and they fire at anyone. You can’t even open the window,” he told The Associated Press by phone, speaking over the sound of explosions. Read: Hezbollah steps up rocket fire as Israel sends more troops into Lebanon He and other residents fear Israel’s aim is to depopulate the north and turn it into a closed military zone or a Jewish settlement. Israel has blocked all roads except for the main highway leading from Jabaliya to the south, according to residents. “We are concerned about the displacement to the south,” Ahmed Qamar, who lives in Jabaliya with his wife, children and parents, said in a text message. "People here say clearly that they will die here in northern Gaza and and won’t go to southern Gaza.” Hospitals are under threat Fadel Naeem, director of the Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza City, said it has received dozens of dead and wounded people from across the northern half of the Palestinian enclave since Israel launched its air and ground operation. Israel's offensive has gutted Gaza's health sector, forcing most of its hospitals to shut down and leaving the rest only partially functioning. “The situation is tense,” Naeem told The Associated Press in text message. “We declared a state of emergency, suspended scheduled surgeries, and discharged patients whose conditions are stable.” He said three hospitals further north — Kamal Adwan, Awda and the Indonesian Hospital - have become almost inaccessible because of the fighting. The Gaza Health Ministry says the Israeli army has ordered all three to evacuate staff and patients. Meanwhile, no humanitarian aid has entered the north since Oct. 1, according to U.N. data. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the hospitals or the apparent suspension of aid delivery in the north. Read more: Marcon calls for halt on arms deliveries to Israel for use in Gaza Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the military spokesperson, said late Tuesday that Israeli forces were operating in Jabaliya “to prevent Hamas' regrouping efforts" and had killed around 100 militants, without providing evidence. Israel says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it fights in residential areas. Israel ordered the wholesale evacuation of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, in the opening weeks of the war, but hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have remained there. Israel reiterated those instructions over the weekend, telling people to flee south to an expanded humanitarian zone where hundreds of thousands are already crammed into squalid tent camps. The war began just over a year ago, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. They are still holding around 100 hostages, a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel's offensive has killed 42,010 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters. It has said women and children make up over half of the dead. The offensive has also caused staggering destruction across the territory and displaced around 90% of the population of 2.3 million people, often multiple times. Israel warns Lebanon that it could end up like Gaza Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until “total victory” over Hamas and the return of all the captives. On Tuesday, he warned that Lebanon would meet a similar fate if its people did not rise up against Hezbollah, which began firing rockets into Israel after the initial Hamas attack. That set in motion a cycle of escalation that ignited a full-scale war last month. “You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza,” Netanyahu said, addressing the Lebanese people. In recent weeks Israel has waged a punishing air campaign across large parts of Lebanon, targeting what it says are Hezbollah rocket launchers and other militant sites. In a matter of days, strikes killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and most of his top commanders. Read more:Israel intensifies bombardment of Gaza and southern Lebanon ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary So far, ground operations appear to be focused on a narrow strip along the border, but Israel has warned people to evacuate dozens of cities and towns across southern Lebanon, many of them north of a buffer zone declared by the United Nations after the last war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. Hezbollah's acting leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, said in a televised statement Tuesday that the group has replaced its slain commanders and was preventing Israeli ground forces from advancing. The militants have extended their rocket fire deeper into Israel, disrupting life but causing few casualties. Israel is meanwhile considering options for a strike on Iran that could potentially escalate the war on yet another front. Iran, which supports Hezbollah and Hamas, launched a wave of some 180 ballistic missiles at Israel last week in retaliation for the killing of top militants from both groups.

Eight more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning. Two patients out of the eight were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka while the rest were being treated at hospitals across the country, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Thirty-seven patients, including 20 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country. Read more: Seven more dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hours So far, the DGHS has recorded 576 dengue cases, 533 recoveries, and six deaths this year. The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. It also recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said that the ongoing drive against illegal healthcare facilities in Bangladesh will continue so that no one can do business with peoples’ lives. The minister said this after visiting Rajshahi Sadar Hospital on Thursday (September 15, 2022) morning. “We won’t let any healthcare facility operate if they don’t provide services in a proper way,” the Minister said. Also read: Health minister places icddr,b bill in Parliament Replying to a question, Zahid added that those healthcare facilities which have been closed will remain so until they use proper medical accessories and manpower. “According to the government’s rule, no healthcare facility can operate without licenses. Till now, we’ve closed down around 2,000 hospitals and clinics due to not having licenses. We have some conditions that the healthcare facilities will have to follow if they want to continue their operation,” the minister added. About Rajshahi Sadar Hospital, Zahid said that he has found a shortage of manpower there and will address the issues through outsourcing and recruitment. Also read: Pharmacies in Dhaka to remain open all day: Health Minister Besides, the minister has also assured of upward expansion of the hospital building so that the hospital can accommodate a large number of patients.

Seventy private clinics and diagnostic centres, out of 90, are operating in the district without licences, putting the lives of patients on the line.

The High Court on Wednesday ordered the authorities concerned to recruit 117 physicians to fill up the vacant posts of jail hospitals across the country as soon as possible.