BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed gratitude to Qatar and the UK governments for facilitating the treatment of party Chairperson Khaldeda Zia abroad. “We convey our gratitude to the Qatar government. They provided the air ambulance without taking any rent for taking Khaleda Zia to London. We also thank the British government for facilitating her treatment there,” he said. Fakhrul said this while unveiling the cover of a book titled “Rajbandir Jabanbandi” which chronicles the depositions given in court by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in ‘false’ cases’ at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday. She flew to London with state honour after being freed and thousands of people saw her off and she did not face any hindrance on her way to London, he said. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to The London Clinic in the United Kingdom on Wednesday for advanced treatment. Read: Unity essential amid efforts to divide nation: Fakhrul She left Dhaka for London on Tuesday night aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar. Her eldest son Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman, greeted his mother with open arms at the Heathrow Airport. Earlier, the Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom, Mohammad Hazrat Ali Khan, welcomed Khaleda Zia at the airport with flowers. BNP’s UK chapter President MA Malek, General Secretary Koyser M Ahmad and many other leaders and activists were present at the airport. Khaleda’s doctors have been advocating for her treatment abroad ever since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in late 2021. Despite the severity of her condition, she was denied permission to travel for treatment by the Awami League government, citing legal hurdles related to her convictions in two cases. Read more: Emotional Moment:  Khaleda reunites with son Tarique after 7 years On August 6, 2024, a day after the fall of the Awami League government, Khaleda was fully freed by an order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin, paving the way for her overseas treatment. Khaleda Zia, a three-time former Prime Minister, has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyes.

Thousands of people gathered outside the Gulshan residence of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Tuesday to bid her farewell as she is set to depart for medical treatment in London. The crowd, consisting mainly of BNP leaders and activists, filled the streets near her home, showing deep love, affection and support for their beloved ailing 79-year-old leader, who has been battling serious health issues. Emotions run high as many supporters are chanting slogans, expressing their well-wishes for Khaleda’s recovery. The scene outside her residence was marked by both solidarity and concern, as her supporters gathered in large numbers to see her off ahead of her flight to London, where she will receive advanced medical care at The London Clinic. The large turnout caused traffic disruptions around the BNP chief’s residence, leading to public inconvenience. Khaleda is scheduled to leave her Gulshan residence around 8pm and is expected to reach the airport by 9pm, said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell. Khaleda set to fly to London tonight He said the BNP chief is scheduled to depart from the airport at 10pm, accompanied by her entourage, including six doctors from her medical team. Meanwhile, the BNP has issued special instructions to its leaders and activists to avoid causing any public inconvenience while bidding farewell to their beloved leader. The party has requested the leaders and activists of its Dhaka South and North City units, along with all other affiliated organisations, to gather in an orderly manner on the footpaths to bid farewell to the former Prime Minister, without obstructing traffic or pedestrians. The party also revealed the route for Khaleda Zia's convoy to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. According to the route plan, the BNP chief will travel to the airport from her residence, Firoza, via the Gulshan-2 intersection and Banani-Kakoli crossing. To ensure security during Khaleda’s departure, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has taken special measures, including deployment of an adequate number of law enforcement personnel from the Airport Armed Police, RAB, DMP, DB and SWAT teams. A special air ambulance dispatched by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has landed on the VIP tarmac at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:40pm on Monday to transport BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London. The Qatar Royal Family's Airbus A319 air ambulance, designed for long-distance medical evacuations, is equipped with advanced medical facilities, making it a "flying ICU." It includes ventilators, defibrillators. Earlier on Monday, BNP standing committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said Khaleda Zia will be directly admitted to “The London Clinic, an advanced medical centre in London, after arriving at Heathrow International Airport in the UK. He said Khaleda, along with her entourage—including six doctors from her medical team and four doctors from the air ambulance—will depart Hazrat Shahjalal Airport at 10pm on Tuesday for London via Doha. Khaleda to be directly admitted to ‘London Clinic’ on arrival He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife, and BNP leaders from the UK chapter will welcome Khaleda upon her arrival at Heathrow Airport. The BNP leader said Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has arranged for a special air ambulance from the royal fleet after learning of Khaleda’s illness. Tarique Rahman and his family have been living in London since 2008. This will be Khaleda Zia’s second overseas medical trip, following her 2017 visit to London for treatment. This will be her first reunion with her son Tarique in seven years, and her first overseas visit since she was freed from jail. Khaleda Zia has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyes.

A monkey has become the talk of the locality after it went to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex in Chattogram twice and received treatment for wounds. Surprised locals said that the wild animal was first seen in the area around a month back and since then it is frequently seen here and there. The monkey with wounds was spotted in front of the upazila health complex over the past couple of days. Dr Nuruddin Rashed, a physician at the upazila health complex, said, “I found the monkey, with wounds, sitting on the balcony of the hospital when I was about to leave work on Saturday afternoon.” Read: Endangered Lojjaboti monkey rescued in Rangamati, released in Kaptai National Park Later, he dressed the wounds on the monkey, and it left the health complex, said the doctor. The monkey again appeared at the hospital on Sunday, he said, adding that brandages were put on the monkey’s wounds. Later, it went away. “The animal seemed to be in pain and some of the wounds in the back started to rot. This could have happened due to electric shock from sitting on power lines,” he said, adding, “I wanted to know the whereabouts of the monkey when I joined the office today. The monkey was seen sitting on a branch of a tree by the hospital.” Read more: Endangered Lojjaboti monkey rescued in Bandarban

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday (August 12, 2023) expressed concern over the worsening physical condition of their party chairperson Khaleda Zia as doctors again advised her to be sent abroad immediately for treatment at an advanced centre. “I was there in the hospital (Evercare) yesterday (Friday). The doctors of the medical board are very worried. They’re not sure whether her treatment will eventually be possible if she’s not immediately sent abroad for advanced treatment,” he said. Talking to reporters after offering fateha at the grave of the BNP chief’s late son Arafat Rahman Koko, Fakhrul said the doctors told him that it is urgent to send Khaleda abroad for her proper treatment. “I would like to clearly tell the authorities concerned to immediately release our leader Begum Khaleda Zia and take steps for her proper treatment overseas," he said. Read: Khaleda Zia returns home from hospital after 5 days Otherwise, the BNP leader warned that people will create a mass upsurge intensifying the ongoing one-point movement for ensuring the unconditional release of Khaleda. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Wednesday night on the advice of a medical board formed for her treatment as she fell sick again. She has now been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Her personal doctor A ZM Zahid Hossain said Khaleda’s liver problems worsened and she was suffering from fever. Fakhrul visited the BNP chief on Friday evening and talked to the doctors about her physical condition. Earlier on June 13, the BNP chairperson was admitted to the same hospital and received treatment for a few days after she suddenly fell sick with a fever and stomachache. Khaleda, a 78-year-old former prime minister, has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems. Read: Khaleda Zia under close observation at Evercare, says her physician Zahid Fakhrul along with BNP leaders and activists went to Koko’s grave at Banani in the morning and offered fateha there, marking the 54th birthday of the late younger son of Khaleda and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. On January 24, 2015, Koko died of cardiac arrest at the age of 45 at a rented house in Malaysia. After visiting the grave premises, Fakhrul alleged that Koko lost his life prematurely due to direct and indirect torture and torture by the interim regime of Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin after the 1/11 political changeover in 2007. “It’s very unfortunate that the Moyeenuddin-Fakhruddin regime shamelessly and brutally tortured our extraordinary sports organiser. He fell ill due to physical torture and died while undergoing treatment in Malaysia,” he said. Read more: Khaleda Zia taken to Evercare Hospital for health check-ups On Koko’s birthday, Fakhrul said they offered his grave and prayed for the salvation of his departed soul.

Australia is now the first country to allow psychiatrists to prescribe certain psychedelic substances to patients with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Beginning Saturday, Australian physicians can prescribe doses of MDMA, also known as ecstasy, for PTSD. Psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, can be given to people who have hard-to-treat depression. The country put the two drugs on the list of approved medicines by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Scientists in Australia were surprised by the move, which was announced in February but took effect July 1. One scientist said it puts Australia "at the forefront of research in this field." Chris Langmead, deputy director of the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, said there have been very few advancements on treatment of persistent mental health issues in the last 50 years. After years of waiting, medical marijuana sold in Louisiana The growing cultural acceptance has led two U.S. states to approve measures for their use: Oregon was the first to legalize the adult use of psilocybin, and Colorado's voters decriminalized psilocybin in 2022. Days ago, President Joe Biden's youngest brother said in a radio interview that the president has been "very open-minded" in conversations the two have had about the benefits of psychedelics as a form of medical treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration designated psilocybin as a "breakthrough therapy" in 2018, a label that's designed to speed the development and review of drugs to treat a serious condition. Psychedelics researchers have benefited from federal grants, including Johns Hopkins, and the FDA released draft guidance late last month for researchers designing clinical trials testing psychedelic drugs as potential treatments for a variety of medical conditions. New Zealand law to make medical marijuana widely available Still, the American Psychiatric Association has not endorsed the use of psychedelics in treatment, noting the FDA has yet to offer a final determination. And medical experts in the U.S. and elsewhere, Australia included, have cautioned that more research is needed on the drugs' efficacy and the extent of the risks of psychedelics, which can cause hallucinations. US growing largest crop of marijuana for research in 5 years "There are concerns that evidence remains inadequate and moving to clinical service is premature; that incompetent or poorly equipped clinicians could flood the space; that treatment will be unaffordable for most; that formal oversight of training, treatment, and patient outcomes will be minimal or ill-informed," said Dr. Paul Liknaitzky, head of Monash University's Clinical Psychedelic Lab. Canada now world's largest legal marijuana marketplace Plus, the drugs will be expensive in Australia — about $10,000 (roughly $6,600 U.S. dollars) per patient for treatment. Uruguay is betting on exports of medical marijuana Litnaitzky said the opportunity for Australians to access the drugs for specific conditions is unique. "There's excitement about drug policy progress," he said, "... about the prospect of being able to offer patients more suitable and tailored treatment without the constraints imposed by clinical trials and rigid protocols." Thailand approves medical marijuana

President Abdul Hamid on Monday urged the physicians and the authorities concerned to find out the reasons why people go abroad for medical treatment despite having many reputed doctors and hospitals. "Despite having many reputed doctors and medical institutions in our country about 25 lakh Bangladeshis go abroad for treatment every year. So we have to think where the real problem is," he said. He said this in the fourth convocation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University held at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Convention Hall in the city. The president and chancellor of the university Abdul Hamid presided over the event while vice-chancellor Professor Dr Sharfuddin Ahmed delivered the welcome speech. Saying that a doctor must first be a good listener to gain the trust of the patient, Hamid said many things may seem irrelevant but it is a matter of emotional satisfaction for the patient. So the patient should be treated with sufficient time, he said. He said reports of various inducements by pharmaceutical companies to prescribe drugs to patients often appear in the press. Emphasising on avoiding this sick and unfair competition, Hamid said the issue of introducing Generic Name like abroad should be considered. Hamid mentioned that the number of doctors and nurses in proportion to the population in the country is insufficient and the number of specialist doctors is also less than the demand. "Many are being deprived of specialised treatment. You know humanitarianism is a divine virtue. Unwell people rely on a doctor and a nurse after God. Your kindness and treatment is a must for any patient," he said. The President said if doctors work with a generous mind, they can be considered a good doctor as well as a great person among the public. Calling this university as a repository of knowledge not only in the field of medical services but also in all fields of research and medical science, Hamid asked the new graduates to maintain its continuity in their life what they have learned and seen here. Saying Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University as the birthplace of experts in medical related subjects, he said that the result of their hard work is the country's expert doctors, medical scientists and medical teachers. "There is no substitute for research in improving the quality of education, while our medical education has very little research," he added. Emphasising on own research, Hamid said types of disease in our country are different from developed and western countries. That is why own research work can only make the real solution available to the patients of this country by inventing effective and affordable treatment methods for diverse diseases of this country. Health Minister Zahid Maleque and Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni spoke as special guests while Prof Rajvardhan Azad, chairman of University Service Commission, Bihar, India was the convocation speaker. The Institute of Postgraduate Medical Research (IPGMR) was converted into BSMMU in 1998. The last convocation of the university was held in 2018, before the global outbreak of Covid-19.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the country’s health sector has witnessed significant progress despite various limitations over the last 14 years. “Bangladesh is now almost self-sufficient in cardiac care. Bangladesh has the capacity to treat 95 to 98 percent of cardiovascular diseases as skilled manpower, modern technology and equipment are available here in the country,” she said. The premier said this in a video message aired in the 3rd International Scientific Conference arranged by Bangladesh Cardiovascular Research Foundation (BCRF) in the city. She also opened the two-day conference being held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. Hasina said healthcare has now become much more accessible and reached the doorsteps of common people. Also Read: Boost research on agriculture to increase production: PM Hasina tells scientists “As the country's cardiologists and doctors provide better medical services to the patients in the country, the people of the country are benefiting and thus (the country’s) foreign currency is being saved,” she said. She said work is underway to set up a full-fledged pediatric cardiac unit in Dhaka for better treatment of pediatric cardiac patients in the country. “Plans have been taken to extend such facilities to other government hospitals as well,” she added. To increase the scope of pediatric cardiac treatment, the scope to produce pediatric cardiologists has been enhanced as a full-fledged pediatric cardiology and pediatric cardiac surgery unit was set up at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, said the PM. A 500-bed world-class 'Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research Institute' has been established in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, she said.  The premier stressed the need for focusing on preventive measures regarding cardiovascular diseases as the number of cardiac patients is on rise in the country. Also Read: PM Hasina: Bangladesh to become aviation gateway between the east and the west  “The number of cardiac patients is increasing day by day in the country due to various reasons including diet, lack of physical work, smoking and excessive diabetes. Along with the development of cardiovascular disease care, we also need to pay attention to preventive measures,” she said. PM Hasina said cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Bangladesh and all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, some 17.9 million people die every year in the world due to cardiovascular diseases. “About 27 percent of total deaths in Bangladesh are caused by cardiovascular diseases. At present, 10 children per thousand are suffering from cardiovascular diseases in the country. One in five young people in Bangladesh is at risk of heart disease,” she said. Focusing on her government’s steps for the development of the health sector, the PM said it has taken a plan to build a medical college in every district. The number of medical colleges rose to 115 now from 50 ones in 2009, while the number of MBBS course seats went up to 10,789 from only 2,050 in 2009, she said. She said her government will build a medical university in every division and four medical universities have already been set up. Pointing to the participants, their participation in the 3rd Scientific Conference has created a unique opportunity to share knowledge and experiences among cardiac specialists.  

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has returned home from hospital after receiving treatment. He returned to his Uttara residence after discharge from hospital on Monday night. He was admitted to Dhaka's Evercare Hospital for a health checkup on Sunday morning under the supervision of Cardiologist Professor Shahabuddin Talukder. Read more: Mirza Fakhrul hospitalised Fakhrul said, "I returned home and feeling much better now. The doctors asked to take the medicines timely and take proper rest." “But there is no such thing like rest for politicians.” Fakhrul has been suffering from various health complications, including cardiac problems which intensified during his recent imprisonment. In 2015, he was admitted to a Singapore Hospital when he was diagnosed with a block in the internal carotid artery in his neck while in prison. Since there is no treatment for this disease in Bangladesh, he has to go to Singapore every year. Read more: 'Our peaceful movement bound to bring down govt': Fakhrul Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas is still undergoing treatment at the hospital. He will have to stay there for a few more days, said BNP’s Health Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam. Mirza Fakhrul and Mirza Abbas walked out of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj on January 9 after the bail order reached the jail authorities. On January 8, the Appellate Division upheld the High Court order granting bail to Fakhrul and Abbas in a case filed over the clash between police and the party activists at Nayapaltan on December 7 last year. On December 9, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked them up from their homes in separate raids in the capital, a day before the party’s much-talked about rally in the capital.

Brazilian soccer great Pelé is responding well to treatment for a respiratory infection and his health condition has not worsened over the latest 24 hours, the Albert Einstein hospital said Saturday. The 82-year-old Pelé has been at the hospital since Tuesday. “I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual. I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received,” Pelé said in a statement posted on Instagram. “I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup, too.” Read more: Pelé no longer responding to chemotherapy treatment: Reports Get well messages have poured in from around the world for the three-time World Cup winner, who is also undergoing cancer treatment. Kely Nascimento, Pelé's daughter, posted several pictures on Instagram from Brazil fans in Qatar wishing her father well with flags and banners. Buildings in the Middle Eastern nation also displayed messages in support of the former soccer great. Brazil will face South Korea at the World Cup on Monday in the round of 16. Pelé helped Brazil win the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and remains the team’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches. The Albert Einstein hospital said Friday that Pelé is getting antibiotics to treat an infection at the same time he undergoes chemotherapy against cancer. Pelé, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, had a colon tumor removed in September 2021. Neither his family nor the hospital has said whether the cancer had spread to other organs. Read more: Pelé back in hospital to regulate medication Newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported Saturday that Pelé's chemotherapy is not working and that doctors had decided to put him on palliative care. The Associated Press could not confirm that information. ESPN Brasil reported Wednesday that Pelé was taken to the hospital because of “general swelling.”

Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad will return to Bangladesh from Bangkok, Thailand, on November 27 after nearly five months of stay there for treatment. She will reach the Hazrat Shahjajal International Airport at about 12:00 pm in a flight of Thai Airways, according to a press release from opposition leader’s office at Parliament. Read more: Raushon Ershad flies to Bangkok again for follow-up treatment Rahgir Al Mahi Saad Ershad MP (Rangpur-3) along with his wife Mahima Ershad will accompany Raushon. On July 5, Raushon went to Thailand for follow-up treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. Raushon expressed her special gratitude to leaders and activists of Jatiya Party, well-wishers and the people for praying for her recovery.