United News of Bangladesh

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.

Bangladesh Bank has announced April 3 as a holiday for Non- Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI), same as the government employees. The Financial Institutions and Markets Department of Bangladesh Bank issued the notification on Monday. More than 17 million Eid holidaymakers expected to depart Greater Dhaka It said the Ministry of Public Administration has declared April 3 (Thursday) as a public holiday on the occasion of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Fitr. Finance companies, like government institutions, will also be closed on that day. However, the central bank has yet to declare the holidays for banks on the occasion of Eid.

More than 17 million (1.70 crore) people are expected to leave the greater Dhaka region ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, as government employees prepare for an extended nine-day holiday this year, according to a joint pre-Eid observation report by the National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) and the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF). The report estimates that approximately 60% of these travellers—over 10 million (1.03 crore)—will take to the roads, while the remaining will rely on waterways and railways. On March 20, the government approved a nine-day holiday for its employees, spanning from March 28 to April 5, to facilitate Eid celebrations. Population Trends and Travel Projections Citing the latest census and other sources, the report states that greater Dhaka is home to 45 million people, including 20 million residents in Dhaka North and South City Corporations. Jatri Kalyan Samity demands end to overcharging, harassment during Eid travel Gazipur’s population has surged to around 7.5 million, primarily due to its concentration of 70% of the country’s ready-made garment factories. Meanwhile, Narayanganj city accommodates around 3 million people. Together, these three cities hold a combined population exceeding 30 million (3.05 crore). Beyond the city corporations, an additional 5.5 million reside in these three districts, while another 4.6 million live in Manikganj and Narsingdi. The total population of these five districts, excluding metropolitan areas, surpasses 10 million (1.1 crore). A significant portion of this population travels to their hometowns for Eid. Estimated Outflow of Holidaymakers According to social activists and transport-related organisations cited in the report, around 50% of those in the industrial and commercial hubs of Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj, along with 20% of those in other parts of the five districts, will temporarily leave for the holidays. This translates to over 15 million (1.52 crore) people departing from Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj city areas, while another 2 million (20.2 lakh) are expected to travel from other parts of these districts. In total, over 17 million people are set to leave Greater Dhaka, with more than 10 million choosing road transport. Challenges in Data Accuracy The organisations acknowledge that the reported figures may not be "100% accurate" due to the lack of a centralised database in government and non-government offices. Ashis Kumar Dey, General Secretary of NCPSRR, noted, “It is very difficult to obtain precise statistics as no proper database exists in government and non-government offices.” Eid sales expected to hit Tk 2 lakh crore reinforcing its economic might Meanwhile, SCRF General Secretary Lion Mohammad Jahangir Alam defended the estimates, stating, “Even if the statistics are not exact, the difference will not be significant.” Government Response and Public Concerns While the government has introduced several measures to manage the Eid rush, challenges remain. The two organisations have warned of potential traffic congestion, travel delays, and road accident risks, despite improvements in transport infrastructure and policies.

The High Court (HC) will hold hearing on a rule regarding the bail of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader, in a sedition case followed by the HC vacation and Eid holiday. Both the vacations will continue till April 19 next. An HC bench of Justice Md Atoar Rahman and Justice Ali Reza set the date, said the defendant’s lawyer Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee.   Earlier, on February 4, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain why Chinmoy should not be granted bail in the sedition case, rejecting his bail plea.   Later, on March 19, the rule was presented before the court for hearing while the HC set the date, but it was revealed today (Sunday).   HC turns down Chinmoy’s bail plea Additional Attorney Generals Aneek R Haque and Arshadul Rauf stood for the state in the court during the hearing.  On October 25 last year, a large gathering of the Sanatani community was held in Chattogram under the leadership of Chinmoy Krishna Das. A sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Chinmoy, on charge of belittling the national flag on October 31. On November 22, another large rally was held in Rangpur under the leadership of Chinmoy who was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 in the sedition case. 63 lawyers get bail in case filed over Chinmoy issue On January 2 this year, Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam denied bail to Chinmoy in the sedition case. On December 11 last year, the same court rejected his bail petition in the same case. The Chattogram court rejected Chinmoy's bail petition, ordered him to be sent to jail, and the decision sparked clashes between his followers, law enforcers and lawyers on the court premises. At one stage of the clash, a lawyer, Saiful Islam Alif, was hacked to death outside the court premises.

The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) forecasts that around 15 million individuals are poised to exit the greater Dhaka area, including Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur, and Narayanganj city corporation areas, for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. An estimated 60% of these holidaymakers, roughly nine million people, will opt for road travel, while the rest will utilise waterways and railways. The projection, released in a press statement by NCPSRR on Monday, sheds light on the massive seasonal migration and its implications on transportation and safety. Despite admitting potential inaccuracies due to the lack of a comprehensive database, NCPSRR's general secretary, Ashis Kumar Dey, stated that the report was compiled from a variety of sources, including research data, civic groups, and transport sector organizations. Read more: Dhaka Metro Rail operations to continue past 9 pm from today The committee has voiced concerns over the possibility of increased public suffering and accidents on the roads, similar to previous years. Nevertheless, it acknowledged the government's significant efforts to facilitate smoother Eid travel for millions. Drawing from the latest census, the report details the population distribution within the Dhaka division, noting that about 75% of the country's garment factories are in Gazipur. Workers, who predominantly reside in the Gazipur region, contribute to the large-scale exodus during Eid. Additionally, significant populations in Narayanganj and adjacent districts add to the surge of travelers seeking to return to their native places for the Eid holiday. Read more: Seasoned journalists, experts stress vital role of media in creating awareness to make roads safe again The report highlights several challenges faced by travelers, including the inadequate capacity of the road transport sector to manage the massive flow of people within a week leading up to Eid. Issues such as the poor condition of long-distance roads, over 500 risky turning points nationwide, and the manual collection of tolls exacerbating traffic congestion are identified as major obstacles to smooth travel. Despite these hurdles, the NCPSRR remains optimistic that the implementation of government measures could alleviate some of the public's difficulties on the roads during this peak travel period. The focus now shifts to ensuring that these initiatives are carried out effectively to enhance the Eid travel experience for millions. Read more: Wheels of hazard: Motorcycle safety crisis unfolding on Bangladesh’s roads

Most of the readymade garment factories and other industries resumed production on Saturday after weeklong Eid vacation. The workers and technicians have joined their work and the remaining workers will join within the next few days, said Rubaet Ahmed, owner of a garment factory in Ashulia. Talking with UNB on Saturday he said, “We announced Eid Vacation on April 27 and scheduled to join on Saturday, so that the workers and other employees can share Eid joys with their family members.” He said many garments’ owners have announced Eid vacation for 10 to 15 days. “Production of almost all the factories has started as the leave ends on Saturday, Work will start in all the factories in the next 2-3 days,” he added. Fazle Shamim Ehsan, senior vice-president of BKMEA, an association of knitwear factory owners, said that the work has started in most of the garment factories from Saturday after the Eid holiday. “Some factories gave workers a little more leave as needed. They will start opening the factories from tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” he said. Also Read: Govt offices reopen in Bangladesh He said that since the inception of the garment industry in the country, the workers have got the most leave this Eid. He said that the factories which were under pressure of shipment have already reopened. And the ones with less pressure will open after another two-three days. Anwar Hossain, a worker at Denim Expert Limited, said that he had a good Eid holiday with his parents. “I have started work today (Saturday). This time there was no problem in getting leave or Eid journey on the highways,” he added. Meanwhile, workers are returning to Dhaka, Gazipur, Ashulia, Savar and Narayanganj by bus, launch and train as well as trucks from different parts of the country to join the workplace after the Eid holidays.    

Road accidents during this Eid-ul-Fitr holiday rush claimed 323 lives in just 15 days, even though long-haul buses were off the road due to Covid-19 lockdown, said Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Shamiti on Sunday. At least 318 road crashes occurred during May 7- 21 period, the passenger welfare forum revealed while presenting its road accident report-2021 at a press briefing here. The report also said 622 people were injured in road accidents during the period when lakhs of people hit the road to celebrate the Eid festival with their families in village homes. The Eid was celebrated on May 14 during the Covid-19 lockdown. Also read: 249 lives lost on the road during Eid holidays The number of road crashes usually increase as people’s movement surges during such festival.  According to the report, the number of both deaths and accidents on the road increased this year. Due to lockdown, public transports remained suspended, but the holidaymakers packed private cars, microbuses, motorcycles, auto rickshaws, trucks, pick-up vans and covered vans. The report also stated that among the deceased, 35 were women, 22 children, 69 pedestrians and 31 transport workers, and 96 drivers.    Also read: Rab member, another killed in Gazipur road accident According to the report, like other years accidents on motorcycles were at top recording 139 deaths in 144 accidents this year. This accounts for 45.28% of the total accidents and 43.03 % of the total deaths recorded. About 32.28 percent accidents took place in national highways, 40.88 percent in regional highways, 22.32 percent in feeder roads, the report stated analyzing the types of accidents. Members of the road accidents monitoring cell of the forum prepared the report collecting information from widely published and trustworthy national, regional, daily newspapers and online portals in the 15 days. Also read: Rickshaw puller killed in city road crash Of the total accidents 3.14% occurred in Dhaka and 1.25% in Chattogram. The report also mentioned 331 people died and 772 sustained injuries in 322 accidents occurring jointly on the country's road, rail and waterways. “Movement of only 8 to10 percent of the population caused so many accidents and deaths only due to negligence of the concerned authority and organizations liable for road safety,” said Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, general secretary of the Jatri Kalyan Samity. He strongly demanded that the government prioritizes the road safety and take necessary measures. Also read: Road accidents in Bangladesh claim 468 lives in April Public transport expert and director of FBCCI, Abdul Haque said, “transport owners face graft  and suffer a lot when they go to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) for fitness tests or other services”. Thus lead to an increase in the movement of unfit vehicles, he said

As Eid holidays are over, now thousands of holidaymakers from south-western districts overcrowded the ferry terminals in a bid to return to Dhaka to join their workplaces. They are flocking to Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar ferry ghats to cross the river and reach the capital as offices reopened on Sunday following a three-day vacation. The returnees seemed hardly concerned about maintaining hygiene rules although there is an alarming Covid surge in neighbouring India and Nepal. Read: BGB personnel keep watch on Covid safety protocols at Shimulia ferry ghat The detection of a deadlier Indian variant of virus in Bangladesh has also raised serious concerns here in recent days. UNB Munshiganj correspondent says microbus, cars and auto-rickshaws are charging extra fares from passengers as public transport services remained suspended as part of the government restrictions to stem the transmission of coronavirus. AGM of Bangladesh Inland water transport Authority (BIWTA) Shafiqul Islam said ferry services are in operation to carry vehicles providing emergency services even though public transport services have been suspended. “People are now returning to Dhaka and adjacent districts through the overcrowded ferries without maintaining social distancing or wearing masks, raising the risks of virus transmission,” he said.  

Commuters heading home ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr had to suffer through a 12km tailback on the Dhaka-Aricha highway on Wednesday. Massive traffic jams were witnessed on the highway from Tepra point to Baniajuri point, which forced many people to walk a couple of kilometres. Read: 20- km tailback on Dhaka-Aricha highway Sources said that lakhs of people have crossed the river on ferries since morning. All the 17 ferries are operating to cater to the mad rush of home-bound people. Some 800 vehicles and 10,000 people have crossed the river till Wednesday noon, officials said. Authorities, meanwhile, claimed that people will not face any difficulties in crossing rivers as ferry services are available. UNB found that hundreds of people reached the Daulatdia-Paturia ghat area in the afternoon on rickshaws, foot and other vehicles, defying all lockdown norms. Police have installed a number of check-posts on the highway, including in the Barbaria, Singair and Dhalla areas. Though the cops forced many vehicles coming from other districts to return, passengers were quick to get off the vehicles and head towards the ferry ghat on foot. Amid a mad rush of home-bound people ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes were suspended to curb the spread of Covid-19. Read:BGB deployed on Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar routes Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) said the decision to suspend ferry services on the two busy water routes, with effect from Saturday morning, was taken in the wake of the ongoing second wave of coronavirus. But the mad rush of home-bound people later forced them to resume the ferry services.  

The government has decided not to extend the three-day Eid holiday asking the government employees not to leave their workplaces amid the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.