In Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj Upazila, an acute healthcare crisis has emerged as the area’s sole ambulance has been immobilized for more than three months, leaving approximately 7 lakh residents without essential emergency transport. The halt in service is due to a severe funding shortage for fuel, exacerbating the plight of those in need of urgent medical care. This service interruption means that critically ill patients are no longer transported to the district’s Sadar Hospital or the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) for advanced treatment. Previously, the ambulance played a crucial role in ferrying patients and their families based on medical necessity to these higher-level care facilities. The absence of the ambulance service has severely impacted the community, especially the poor and low-income families who cannot afford private ambulance services. Read more: Health Minister warns unauthorized hospitals and clinics; addresses tragic death of Ayan The financial strain is not limited to those without means; financially stable residents also bear the brunt, facing additional expenses to secure alternative emergency transport. The Shibganj Upazila Health Complex, a 100-bed facility, typically sees over 400 visitors daily, seeking basic medical services — a testament to the community’s reliance on available healthcare resources. Investigations reveal that the ambulance’s operational halt is linked to an outstanding debt of Tk 14 lakh at a local petrol station, leading to a suspension of fuel supply since November 4 last year. Dr. Mahmudur Rashid, the district’s Civil Surgeon, confirmed the crisis, stating that they have reached out to higher authorities, requesting financial support to overcome this critical situation. The ambulance service will resume soon upon arrival of the fund, he added. Read more: Saudi Arabia opens doors to Bangladeshi doctors and nurses: A milestone in skilled manpower recruitment

In a landmark move, Saudi Arabia has greenlit the recruitment of Bangladeshi doctors and nurses, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s healthcare sector. This development heralds the first large-scale recruitment of Bangladesh’s medical professionals by Saudi Arabia, aligning with the bilateral agreement forged in 2022 to bolster healthcare cooperation. As reported by Gulf News, the Bangladesh Medical Association highlights the stark underrepresentation of Bangladeshi doctors among the estimated three million expatriates in Saudi Arabia. The recent policy shift, culminating in the arrival of the inaugural group of healthcare workers in November 2023, aims to bridge this gap. PM Hasina seeks more Saudi investment in Bangladesh Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Essa Al Duhailan, addressed the recruitment delay, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to upholding high standards and underscoring the quality-centric approach of the recruitment process. The initial contingent, consisting of approximately 60 doctors, signifies the beginning of a growing influx of Bangladeshi medical talent. “It is just to encourage the market and see how it goes,” Al Duhailan added, indicating a scalable approach to recruitment. Process of inking cooperation deal on judiciary with Saudi Arabia begins: Law Minister In response to a burgeoning demand for nursing staff, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has initiated recruitment drives in Bangladesh, with plans to deploy over 150 qualified nurses to the Kingdom. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance the provision of medical services to Bangladeshi expatriates and to leverage the extensive pool of professionals graduating from Bangladesh’s over 100 medical institutions, the Gulf News report said The Bangladeshi government has pledged to streamline the placement process, ensuring that nurses find suitable positions in both public and private healthcare facilities across Saudi Arabia. This initiative not only promises new opportunities for Bangladeshi healthcare workers but also aims to elevate the standard of care available to the Bangladeshi diaspora. Saudi company to operate Patenga Container Terminal under deal with CPA This partnership is poised to boost remittances, showcase Bangladesh’s capacity to export highly skilled labor, and fortify bilateral ties between the two countries through a shared commitment to healthcare excellence. End/UNB/MB/KW

In a bold initiative to ensure medical compliance and public safety, Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen has directed immediate closure of all unregistered hospitals, diagnostic centers, and clinics. Addressing the media at the Secretariat, the minister emphasized the urgency of this action, citing both the need for medical safety and the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Dr Sen, taking a personal tone, revealed, “I myself have been a victim of an unlicensed hospital. Therefore, I will not tolerate such negligence.” His stern message was clear: unauthorized medical facilities must voluntarily cease operations or face severe consequences from the health ministry. This directive aligns with his previously declared position against corruption and malpractice in the healthcare sector. Addressing Ayan’s tragic death Highlighting the severity of consequences, the health minister discussed the heart-wrenching case of child Ayan’s death. “The incident of Ayan’s death is deeply tragic. We are awaiting the investigating committee’s report, and rest assured, appropriate actions will follow,” Dr Sen assured. Read more: 2 more dengue patients die; 38 hospitalised in 24hrs Earlier in the day, Ayan’s father, Shamim Ahmed, accompanied by family members, met with Minister Sen at the Secretariat. They presented a detailed account of the events leading to Ayan’s untimely demise, alongside a call for a thorough and fair investigation into his death. Dr Ahmedul Kabir, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), affirmed that the crackdown on unregistered entities is imminent. “It’s mandatory for all, including United Health Service, to be duly licensed. We have a considerable number of registered facilities, but being large-scale doesn’t exempt anyone from compliance,” he stated. Rising COVID-19 Concerns and Preventive Measures In the wake of identifying new COVID-19 variants and increasing infections in countries including India, the health minister expressed his deep concern. He urged high-risk groups to minimize public gatherings and called for universal mask usage. In a significant public health initiative, the government plans to administer the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 1.25 crore people this year, with a long-term goal of reaching 2.5 crore people over two years. Read more: Bangladesh reports 36 more Covid-19 cases in 24hrs

The year 2023 has been monumental in the realm of health and medical science. As we continually strive to overcome health challenges, the relentless pursuit of medical advancements has yielded significant breakthroughs. These innovations not only promise enhanced healthcare but also showcase the power of science in improving lives globally. In this article, we delve into the top eight medical breakthroughs of 2023, each a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the scientific community. The Biggest Medical Breakthroughs of 2023 A Leap Forward in Alzheimer’s Disease Management In a ground-breaking development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Leqembi, a monoclonal antibody, in July 2023. This medical breakthrough targets the core cause of Alzheimer's disease – the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain. These plaques, formed by abnormally proliferating proteins, disrupt neural synapses and cause memory loss. Leqembi intervenes by inhibiting plaque formation, thus preserving cognitive function. A pivotal study revealed that administering Leqembi early could delay severe Alzheimer’s progression by up to 30 years, marking a significant stride in medical science. Read more: Daily Strategies for Neuroplasticity: Enhancing Focus and Alleviating Anxiety Advancing Brain Science with Comprehensive Mapping In a collaborative effort, an international team of over 20 scientists achieved a significant medical breakthrough by mapping the brain of a fruit fly, a process that spanned five years. This achievement surpasses previous efforts which were limited to simpler organisms with fewer synapses. The complexity of the fruit fly’s brain, comprising around 3000 neurons and half a million synapses, parallels aspects of machine learning mapping, hinting at broader applications in understanding complex brains and advancing AI technologies.

Despite the scheduled completion date having lapsed, the Khulna 100-bed full-fledged Cancer Hospital project is still far from completion, with only 21% of the work done over the past two years. According to the Public Works Department, the cancer hospital was supposed to be completed in June this year, now a proposal has been sent to the ministry to extend the project duration till December 2024 as the work has not been completed within the stipulated time. The Development Project Proforma (DPP) cost was Tk 175.72 crore and of these, Tk 82.36 crore was allocated for the construction of the 15-storey building with two basement floors. Under the government’s ‘Establishment of 100-bed Full-fledged Cancer Centre in Government Medical College Hospital in Divisional City’ project’, there will be three—cancer, kidney and heart—units at the hospital. "Free Cervical Cancer Screening to Prevent Cervical Cancer to Save Lives of At-Risk Population" Under the project, the 15-storey specialized hospital for treatment of cancer, kidney and heart patients will be established on 23250.46 square feet of land behind the outdoor department of Khulna Medical College and Hospital. The government signed an agreement with MBPL and SNBPL—two contractor firms on October 31, 2021. Cancer unit will be established from Bagement-2 to 6th floor with Linear Accelerator, CT Stimulator, Chemotherapy and Brachytherapy while Kidney unit will be established on the 7th floor to 11th floor with kidney dialysis unit, kidney transplant OT, post-transplant and ICU. Meanwhile, the heart unit will be set up on the 11th floor to 14th floor with CCU, ICU, Cardiac OT, and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Cath lab. Early detection of liver cancer now possible through a simple blood test Besides, a ramp, moving stairs, lift for Covid-19, Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), 300-KVA power sub-station, 1000-KVA generator, lift, and firefighting system will be constructed under the project. Sheikh Daud Haider, owner of the contractor firm SN Builders Private Limited, said the construction work was delayed due to various complexities including land acquisition but the construction work of the project is now going on in full swing. Sheikh Golam Kuddus, project manager of the contractor firm, said the work of two basements has been completed and now the work will end speedily,” he said. Amit Kumar Biswas, executive engineer of Public Works Department-1, said “Already 21% work has been completed and currently the construction work of the building is going on in full swing.” 14-year-old wins award for developing soap to treat skin cancer In 2019, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved a project involving Tk 2,388.40 crore to set up a 100-bed full-fledged cancer centre in each government medical college hospital in every divisional city. The Ecnec cleared a total of eight projects with an estimated cost of Tk8,968.08 crore. Of the approved projects, five are new and the remaining three are revised ones. Then the project tenure was set from October 2019 to September 2022. Patients underserved as KMCH overwhelmed with bed shortage, inadequate manpower

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has sought more robust action to ensure safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for all in healthcare facilities. Globally, 78 percent healthcare facilities had a basic water service and 51 percent had basic hygiene ensured in 2021. Around 10 percent of these facilities used by 780 million people had no sanitation. "Against this backdrop, we need more robust action than ever," Momen said while speaking at the high-level event, entitled “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Healthcare Facilities: Lesson Learned and the Way Forward”, jointly organized by Hungary and the Philippines at the United Nations Headquarters on Friday. Read more: 26% of the world have no access to clean drinking water: UN He highlighted the major achievements of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene for all in the country. Referring to the National Strategy for Water supply and Sanitation 2021, he said that in Bangladesh around 98 percent of the people have access to drinking water, more than 80 percent to improved sanitation facilities, and nearly 75 percent to hand-washing facilities. Bangladesh pioneered the community led approach for promoting sanitation, which is now recognized and replicated in many developing countries, Momen said. In light of Bangladesh’s successful experiences, Momen offered specific recommendations to check the lack of progress in water, sanitation, and hygiene service worldwide. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Republic of the Philippines and Irakli Karseladze, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia also spoke at the event. A significant number of diplomats, high officials of the UN and its various organizations, international NGOs working in the water sector and private stakeholders were present at the event. Foreign Minister Momen also attended a high-level side event entitled “Revitalizing Social Protection Policies for Creating More Accessibility to Drinking Water” jointly organized by Bangladesh Social Scientists Foundation together with BRAC, AOSED, BWOT, Jago Nari, GRAUS and SDA at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York. Momen also held a bilateral meeting with Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change of Malaysia and discussed issues of mutual interest.

This Ramadan, UNICEF is launching a large-scale campaign to raise funds for malnourished children in Bangladesh. For the first time, the fundraising campaign is taking place inside Bangladesh, appealing to the growing affluent class who are more able to donate towards helping children in their own country. With a strong economy, Bangladesh reached lower-middle-income country status in 2015 and aims to become an upper-middle-income country by 2031. At the same time, the country’s economic progress and success mean that Bangladesh receives less foreign aid. Read More: Multiple crises set to plunge more children into poverty, ILO and UNICEF report warns “The economic progress in Bangladesh has created enhanced opportunities for us to take care of the underprivileged section of our population and to ensure that we leave no one behind. The success of Bangladesh needs to be reflected through the children, who are our future and who also depend on us for their education, healthcare and well-being,” said Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh. UNICEF – which is funded entirely through voluntary contributions – has been on the ground in Bangladesh for over 70 years, saving children’s lives and protecting children’s rights. Globally, UNICEF has helped save more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. The UNICEF Ramadan fundraising campaign is a first-ever invitation from UNICEF to people in Bangladesh to let their good deeds echo for malnourished children around the country together with UNICEF. Read More: UNICEF wants investment in world's first child-focused climate risk financing solution The most common forms of malnutrition are stunting (low height for age) or wasting (low weight for height). Bangladesh has made impressive progress in addressing malnutrition. Stunting was reduced from 42 per cent in 2013 to 28 per cent in 2019. Yet, over five million Bangladeshi children under the age of five suffer from malnutrition. Stunting is caused by chronic or recurring undernutrition, and the damage done to a child’s body and brain by stunting cannot be reversed. It drags down performance at school and later at work, and puts a child at a higher risk of dying from infectious diseases. Wasting is an acute form of undernourishment which can be fatal. It is characterized by recent and severe weight loss which is often caused by lack of food and by disease. Children born to the poorest families are more likely to suffer from stunting and wasting. And when disasters such as floods strike, these already vulnerable children are at heightened risk. Read More: Heatwaves to impact almost every child by 2050: UNICEF report “There is no greater cause than championing children’s health, education and rights. This Ramadan, UNICEF invites the people of Bangladesh to join hands with UNICEF to help the most vulnerable children in their own country,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Malik on Friday said that developed countries should play a stronger role in ensuring quality healthcare services in poor countries too. “Poor countries often suffer from various food insecurities and don’t have access to quality medical care. Therefore developed countries should play a more effective role in the development of the health sector of relatively disadvantaged poor countries,” Zahid Malik said. The minister made the remarks while addressing the 5th international ministerial summit on worldwide patient safety organized by World Health Organization (WHO) at Montreal city of Switzerland. Read more: Beetroot: Nutrition, Health Benefits, Doses, Side Effects Health ministers from 80 countries were also present in the program, presided by WHO’s Director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Calling on Switzerland and other countries to support Rohingya repatriation, the minister said that the refugees are becoming a threat day by day to local people and law enforcers personnel are now also struggling to handle this community.

Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards flooded the streets of Madrid on Sunday for the largest protest yet against the regional government’s management of the capital city’s health care services. Over 250,000 people rallied in the city center, according to the central Spanish government. Organizers claimed the crowd was bigger by several hundred thousand. Many protest participants carried homemade signs with messages in Spanish like “The right to health is a human right. Defend the health service.” Health worker associations led the demonstration, which was backed by left-wing parties, unions and normal citizens concerned with what they see as the dismantling of the public health care system by the Madrid region’s conservative-led government. ALso Read: Spain’s support sought to expedite release of 5 detained Bangladeshi nationals These groups have taken to the streets on a regular basis in recent months, and their movement is gathering strength. Madrid’s regional chief, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, alleges the protests are motivated by the political interests of left-wing rivals ahead of May regional elections across most of Spain. Health care workers claim that Díaz Ayuso’s administration spends the least amount per capita on primary health care of any Spanish region even though it has the highest per capita income. They say that for every 2 euros spent on health care in Madrid, one ends up in the private sector. Critics of her administration say that produces long waits for patients and overworked doctors and nurses. Spain has a hybrid health care system, but the public sector is larger than the private one and is considered a basic pillar of the state. It is run by Spain’s regions.  

With the nation's healthcare system still only recovering from the blow of the Coronavirus pandemic, many hospitals in the city including Dhaka Medical College Hospital are struggling to provide treatment to the rising number of dengue patients due to a shortage of beds. In scenes reminiscent of the country's worst-ever dengue outbreak in 2019, many patients suffering from dengue fever were seen receiving treatment on floors and balconies as hospitals ran out of beds to accommodate them. Visiting various areas in the city, UNB found a number of medical facilities including Holy Family Hospital, Mugda Medical College and Hospital, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Kurmitola General Hospital treating patients on the floor, as all the beds in the respective wards have been filled with patients being treated for the mosquito-borne disease. Read: 409 new Dengue patients hospitalised in 24 hrs, no death Last Sunday (Oct. 23), the number of daily hospitalisations reported by the Directorate General of Health Services crossed 1000 for the first time this year, from 922 the day before. Hospitalisations did drop back down as the week progressed, to reach 750 on Wednesday. The number of infections may start to fall in the first week of November, said Dr Nazmul Islam, Director of the Disease Control Department of DGHS. Recently, the number of dengue patients has increased across the country. But the fatalities can be considerably reduced if patients go to the doctor at the right time, he said. He also said that dengue has increased due to climate change. Besides, the mosquito-borne disease has increased this time due to the lack of awareness also, he said. Read Dengue Fever: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention A seasonal shift The current surge in cases and deaths is indeed recent. Authorities reported the first death from dengue this year with nearly half of it gone, on June 21. After that there were 9 deaths in July, and 11 in August, but the situation really started exploding in September, that witnessed a spike in the number of deaths to 34. October has been the second-deadliest month for dengue ever witnessed in Bangladesh, with 65 people dying from the disease in just the first 26 days of the month. Public health expert Dr Mohammad Abdus Sabur Khan said that although dengue intensity usually decreases in September, this time the situation has reversed. Read Food, Drinks during Dengue: What to consume, what to avoid “It’s October now, but dengue is showing no sign of retreating. It seems like dengue will prevail till mid-November this time,” Khan said. “Creating awareness among the public is a must to rein in the dengue menace. We’ve taken various steps in this regard,” Health Minister Zahid Maleque told UNB. He went on to name three hospitals - Dhaka North Corporation Hospital, a new unit of BSMMU, and Lalkuthi Hospital - that have been kept ready to deal with any emergency. Many might say the emergency is already here, especially in light of the kind of October we have witnessed. Read Adequate measures taken for treatment of Dengue patients: Health Minister