United News of Bangladesh

A 22-year-old youth died after being stabbed by a group of unidentified miscreants in Dhaka’s Tejgaon Industrial area on Monday evening. The deceased, Mohammad Arman, was the son of Md Ekram Hossain and a resident of Middle Begunbari under Tejgaon Industrial Police Station. He worked as a delivery man for Daraz. According to his father, the incident took place around 7:30 pm in front of Tejgaon Polytechnic Institute, near the Bangladesh University of Textiles, while Arman was crossing the road. Private university student stabbed dead on campus in Dhaka A group of three to four attackers, reportedly acting out of prior enmity, assaulted him and stabbed him in the left thigh. Locals immediately rushed him to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors declared him dead around 9:30 pm. Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Hejaz Bin Alam alias Ezaz, (34) a well-known name in Dhaka's criminal underworld, passed away on Saturday evening while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) under the custody of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Ezaz had been undergoing dialysis at DMCH before his death, said DB Sub-inspector Mahfuz. According to the deceased's father Shah Alam, despite being out on bail, DB police took Ezaz away on Friday night (March 14). The following morning, he was admitted to DMCH, where he was placed in Ward 601 on the sixth floor. Bangladesh reaffirms ‘zero tolerance’ stance on terrorism, commits to global security Following Ezaz’s death, his family members forcibly took his body from the hospital but later returned it around two hours later at 9pm.. DB sources said that Ezaz, the second-in-command of “top terror” Sanjidul Islam Iman alias Iman, was arrested by DB’s Wari division on Friday in connection with a case filed at Mohammadpur Police Station.  Later, he fell ill while in custody at the DB headquarters on Mintoo Road and was subsequently admitted to DMCH, where he died while undergoing treatment.

Students have issued an ultimatum for the republication of medical admission test results for the 2024-25 academic year by today, calling for the abolition of all irrational quotas, including the freedom fighter quota. The demand was made during a sit-in and protest rally today held at the Central Shaheed Minar at 11:30 am. Students from Dhaka University also expressed solidarity with the protest. MBBS admission test results published During the event, protesters raised various slogans. “Yesterday, many candidates with 40 or 41 marks gained admission, while others who scored double that could not. Isn’t this discrimination?,” said Kumudini Women's Medical College Psychiatry Prof Dr Major (retd) Abdul Wahab, while expressing solidarity with the students. “Since you have learned to protest, you must continue to fight for your rights on the streets,” he said urging the students. Doha, a student of Dhaka Medical College, said, “After a successful movement demanding the abolition of discrimination, this kind of biased treatment in the medical admission exam should not happen. When the passing mark is 40, how can someone with 37 or 38 marks gain admission? We demand an end to this discrimination today.” MBBS admission test to be held Friday Abir Hossain, a student of Sir Salimullah Medical College, said, “In previous years, students scoring slightly below the cutoff could gain admission through quotas. But this year, candidates with marks 30 to 35 below the cutoff have been admitted through the quota system, which is unacceptable. We demand the abolition of all quotas, including the freedom fighter quota, and the republication of the results today.” Mahin Sarkar, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, also expressed solidarity with the medical students, saying, “Even after the movement in Bangladesh, we see irrational quotas being implemented in medical colleges. “Some students scoring 72 marks didn’t gain admission, while others with 40 marks did. We demand the immediate republication of the medical admission results and the abolition of all irrational quotas in all universities and medical admission exams,” he said.

Six bodies of martyrs from the July uprising have been found in the forensic department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The special cell for the July mass uprising at DMCH revealed this during a press conference  on Friday. The identities of the bodies are as follows: an unidentified male (20), an unidentified male (25), an unidentified male (22), an unidentified male (30), an unidentified female (32), and Enamul (25). The forensic team has completed autopsies and collected DNA samples. Reports indicate that five individuals died from injuries, while one succumbed to a fall from a height. July-August Uprising: Final list of martyrs, injured released Cell secretary Hasan Inam said, "While conducting routine work, we discovered that six unidentified bodies of martyrs from the mass uprising were at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. This morning, our team visited Shahbagh Police Station to gather detailed information. Officer-in-charge Khalid Mansur confirmed that six bodies were in the morgue." "The special team inspected the bodies on-site and found that five died from injuries, while one died from a fall. We collected DNA samples and other evidence. Shahbagh Police informed us that these bodies belong to the anti-discrimination student movement, leading us to believe they are martyrs of the July mass uprising. However, the police have not clarified when the bodies were brought here," he added. The special cell urged anyone missing a person of the mentioned ages to contact them at the following mobile number 01621324187.

A university student died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Saturday night, two days after some muggers stabbed him in Narayanganj city. The victim, Md Semanto, 20, succumbed to his injuries around 11pm while he was undergoing treatment, said his father Hazi Alam, a resident of Deobhog Pakka Road area. Late freedom fighter’s body donated to BSMMU for medical research Semanto, a student of a private university in Dhaka, was stabbed by some muggers in Deobhog area of Narayanganj city early Thursday. Haji Alam said that while his son was on his way to university in the morning, the criminals blocked his path in front of Morgan School and tried to grab his bag and mobile phone. When he tried to stop them, they stabbed him in several parts of the body, leaving him seriously injured. Grocer hacked to death in Natore “Locals first admitted my son to Narayanganj General Hospital and later to Dhaka Medical in serious condition,” he added. “Robbery incidents are increasing every day in Narayanganj city and its suburbs,” Alam alleged.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) launched a two-day international workshop on Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) on Friday. The Neuro Spine Society of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Anatomy and Forensic Medicine departments of DMCH, organised the workshop at the Anatomy Dissection Hall of the college. Dr. Md. Zahid Raihan, associate professor at DMCH, chaired the event. DMCH Principal Professor Dr Md. Kamrul Alam attended the programme as the chief guest. The inauguration session featured faculty and surgeons from medical colleges and hospitals in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangladesh, who briefed attendees on the benefits and procedures of minimally invasive spine surgery. International surgeons and consultants, including Dr. Thinesh Kumaran, Associate Professor Mark Tan, and Dr. Wayne Yap, attended the opening session. Dengue prevention neglected in underprivileged areas: Speakers Describing the procedure, the doctors said ,this state-of-the-art spine surgery method involves performing surgery through small incisions. Patients experience less pain and can leave the hospital sooner. This technique uses lasers, small cameras, and specialised instruments to address spinal issues.  “Small incisions reduce physical trauma, allowing patients to avoid prolonged bed rest and return to work sooner. This method results in less pain and bleeding compared to traditional approaches, and the risk of infection is significantly lower due to the use of modern instruments, they added. Zahid said this programme aims to give people in the country access to training in MISS. This modern and reliable medical procedure could greatly enhance patients’ quality of life.  

Amid an ongoing exodus of Bangladeshi patients seeking treatment abroad, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) stands poised to lead the country towards a future as a medical tourism hub. Local residents, frustrated by inadequate healthcare facilities, are expressing their hopes for improved medical infrastructure and services that could, in turn, attract patients from neighboring countries. Bijoy Sikdar, a resident of Mohammadpur, is among those who have frequently travelled to India for his father's medical treatment. "If our country had better medical facilities, we wouldn’t need to go abroad; instead, people from other countries would come here for treatment," he shared, underscoring the urgency of developing local healthcare facilities. The sentiment is echoed by Rezaul Karim, who had to take his son, Shakhor Karim, to India for neurological care. "The costs aren’t much higher there than here. Dhaka Medical is overwhelmed with patients, making timely care challenging," he explained. Similar accounts from Habib Khan, who frequently seeks treatment in India and Thailand, stress the need for an upgraded system that allows for comprehensive, timely care. Despite Bangladesh’s array of skilled doctors, government hospitals such as Dhaka Medical struggle under the pressure of an overwhelming patient load. A specialist at DMCH, wishing to remain anonymous, cited the hospital’s lack of essential equipment and capacity for treating complex diseases. "We are forced to watch as patients go abroad, knowing they could be treated here if we were better equipped," he said. The Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Forum reports that approximately 800,000 people from Bangladesh seek medical treatment abroad annually. India is the most popular destination for these medical tourists, with Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia also being significant choices. Plans for Transformation Responding to these concerns, Brigadier General Asaduzzaman Khan, the Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, expressed a clear vision for transforming the hospital into a medical tourism destination. "Our expansion plan includes a new building for foreign patients, specialised services, advanced equipment, and an increase in bed capacity to 5,000," he shared, adding that conversations with health advisers have already begun. Read: Hygiene in Dhaka Medical College Hospital remains a major concern The director highlighted that these steps, if implemented across government hospitals, could not only enhance public trust but also draw patients from other countries. "It’s a vision that requires investment and strategic planning, but it’s achievable," he said. Challenges and Missed Opportunities However, Dhaka Medical’s existing infrastructure continues to be plagued by severe mismanagement. Patient care is hindered by a nearly doubled patient load compared to seating capacity, leading to scenes of overcrowded corridors and unhygienic conditions. The lack of sufficient resources and infrastructure has driven countless patients to seek alternatives abroad, undermining the hospital's potential to be a regional healthcare leader. Director Asaduzzaman Khan acknowledged these persistent issues and reflected on missed opportunities. "If we had prioritised replacing old buildings and constructing new ones earlier, perhaps we wouldn’t face this overwhelming chaos now," he said, pointing out that timely planning could have prevented the current burden of patient overflows and corruption-related challenges. A History of Growth Established in 1946 following the partition of India, Dhaka Medical College has grown from an institution with just four departments to one that now accommodates numerous departments and thousands of students. Expansion efforts over the decades have added new buildings and facilities, including a complex inaugurated in 2013. However, despite these developments, patient demand has consistently outstripped capacity. Read more: Mismanagement and overcrowding plague Dhaka Medical College Hospital Today, Bangladesh boasts 39 public medical colleges and 68 private ones, with government seats numbering 5,380 and private seats at 6,040 for aspiring MBBS students. While these numbers suggest significant growth in medical education, the capacity to serve patients locally remains inadequate. Future Prospects As Bangladesh’s premier healthcare institution, Dhaka Medical College Hospital holds immense potential to advance Bangladesh’s position in medical tourism, provided that urgent steps are taken to rectify existing infrastructure issues and manage patient volumes effectively. With strategic investments and an organised approach, Bangladesh can realise a future where not only does it retain its citizens for medical treatment, but it also attracts international patients seeking quality care.

Three people including a housewife sustained burn injuries in a fire from a gas stove in Dhaka’s Jurain last night (February 10, 2024). The burnt Bina Rani Das, 35, her brother-in-laws (cousins of her husband) Banomali Das, 30, and Topu Das, 32, are now undergoing treatment at the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Read more: Fire Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe According to the family, a fire suddenly broke out from the gas stove when Bina was cooking around 6 pm. Hearing her screams, Banomali and Topu rushed to the kitchen and sustained burn injuries while trying to save her by dousing the flame. Md Bachhu Miah, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed the matter saying that Bina received 50 percent burn injuries while Banomli had 20 percent burns and Topu sustained minor injuries. Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention

Bodies of two sisters were recovered from their flat in Dhaka’s Hajaribagh thana's Kalinagar area on Monday (November 13, 2023). The deceased were identified as Jesmin Akter, 44 and her younger sister Nasrin Akter, 35. Both the bodies bore several marks of injuries and those were kept at the morgue of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), said SI Shawon Kumar of Hazaribagh Police Station. Read: 20 BNP men arrested in Chattogram Nazir Hossain, brother of the deceased, said both of his sisters had been suffering from mental health problems. He said Nasrin killed elder sister Jesmine first and then committed suicide. When the family members entered their room  they found Jesmin’s throat-slit body lying on the floor and Nasrin alive with injuries, he said. Read: Missing autorickshaw driver found dead in Laxmipur  She was rushed to the DMCH where she succumbed to her injuries around 12:15 am. It will be known after investigation whether they were murdered or committed suicide, said SI Shawon Kumar.

Two students of Dhaka University (DU) were injured in an attack by miscreants in the Ramna Kali Mandir area of the city early today (October 22, 2023). The injured Sourav Sarkar, 25, and Sumit, 23, are students of the Craft and Sculpture departments, respectively, of the university and residents of Jagannath Hall. Senior students of the hall said the duo, accompanied by others, went out of the hall to visit Durga Puja mandaps at night. Prof  Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University An altercation occurred between the two and some miscreants near the Ramna Kali Mandir around 2 am. The reason behind the incident could not be known immediately. At one stage, the miscreants beat them up and stabbed Sourav in the stomach with a sharp object, they said. DU introduces 'The Dhaka University Trust Fund’ Returning to the hall, the duo went to their seniors, who first took them to the university’s medical centre. Later, Sourav was moved to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said the hospital’s police outpost in-charge, Md Bachhu Mia. Dhaka University's IBA wins 'Battle of Minds' competition Quoting physicians, he said that Sourav's condition was critical.