In a heart-wrenching incident in Rajshahi, two baby sisters passed away within four days of each other after contracting an unidentified virus, as reported by medical professionals. The almost two-year-old younger sister, Muntaha Marisha, tragically died en route to the hospital last Wednesday, while her elder sister, four years and nine months old Muftaul Mashiya, passed away on Saturday afternoon during treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). The girls were the daughters of Manjur Rahman, a mathematics teacher at Rajshahi Cadet College, residing with his family in the college's quarters in Sarda. Physicians at RMCH initially suspected a viral infection but awaited confirmation pending laboratory results from samples sent to Dhaka for analysis. The girls' parents, Manjur and Poly Khatun, have been placed in RMCH's isolation ward. Read: Nipah Virus: Don’t Consume This If You Want to Be Safe Dr. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, an ICU physician at RMCH, mentioned that there is a suspicion of the Nipah virus, although the girls' parents refuted this possibility.  He noted that the children had consumed unwashed plums, which could potentially be linked to the Nipah virus or another viral agent. The definitive cause of death awaits the results of the samples sent for testing. Poly Khatun recounted the events leading to their illness, stating that their domestic help had given the girls unwashed plums from a tree on campus on the morning of February 13. The following day, Marisha developed a fever, exhibited repeated vomiting, and showed signs of severe dehydration. Despite being rushed to the Rajshahi Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Marisha died en route. Mashiya exhibited similar symptoms the next morning and, after initial treatment at the Upazila Health Complex and CMH, was transferred to RMCH, where she was admitted to the ICU.  Read: Nipah virus: Two patients from Manikganj die in Dhaka Both sisters displayed black spots on their bodies before their deaths, a symptom noted by their mother. RMCH physician Mostafa Kamal clarified that there have been no reported deaths from the Nipah virus in Rajshahi this year. However, he confirmed that a viral infection caused the sisters' deaths, emphasizing the rapid progression of their illness and the limited opportunity for treatment. The parents remain in hospital isolation as precautions continue. Read more: Ancient viruses can help fight cancer, scientists say

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

Intern doctors of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) Thursday withdrew their indefinite strike against Rajshahi University (RU) students' "attack on them" over the death of a fellow student. The doctors called off the strike after a meeting with RMCH Director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani. During the meeting, Brigadier General Shamim said: "Our acting administrative officer Anwar Hossain filed a complaint against 300 unnamed students of RU at Rajpara Police Station for the attack on the interns and vandalism after the death of a fourth-year student of the university Wednesday night." Additional Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Islam, spokesperson for Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, said they received a written complaint from the RMCH authority. "It has not been registered as a case yet. We are reviewing it, and a decision will be made soon." "Some of the interns have already resumed their duties at the emergency department, and others will join work by 6am Friday," Shamim Yazdani said after the meeting. However, Dr Imran Hossain, president of RMCH Intern Doctors' Council, said if the attackers are not arrested within 24 hours they will launch a strong protest. Read: 5-member panel to probe Rajshahi University student's death KGM Shahriar, a fourth-year student of the marketing department of RU, was critically injured after falling off the roof of Shaheed Habibur Rahman Hall last night. Shahriar's friends took him to RMCH where he was declared dead. Shahriar's classmates said he was not given treatment for quite some time after being brought to the hospital. Alleging negligence in his treatment, they started vandalising RMCH in protest. At that time, some intern doctors and hospital staff "beat them up." Later, the intern doctors went on an indefinite strike, protesting the attack and vandalism carried out by the RU students and the hospital patients were left to suffer. Meanwhile, Shahriar's body was handed over to his family on Thursday night without an autopsy. A case of unnatural death was filed at the city's Motihar Police Station over Shahriar's death, following a complaint from a RU teacher, Rafiqul said.

Another indigenous farmer who attempted suicide along with his cousin brother allegedly for not getting irrigation water for their land died  on Friday a day after his brother’s death. The deceased was Rabi Marandi, 32, a Santal community member of  Nimghatu village in the upazila. Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Rabi with his brother Abhinath Marandi, 30, took poison in front of Shakhawat Hossain , driver of a deep tube well operated under Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA). They took the decision out of anger as Shakhawat was not giving them a serial number for a long time to get irrigation water supplied to their field in Iswarpur while their seedlings were drying out, alleged the family. Also read: Farmer, pregnant wife stabbed ‘by Jubo League leader’ in Narail Abhinath Marandi died around 9 pm after reaching home on Thursday while Rabi died at 8pm on Friday while undergoing  treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), said Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani, director of RMCH. Both the brothers died for swallowing poison, he told UNB on Saturday. Meanwhile on Friday night, Abhinath’s wife Rozina Hemrom lodged a complaint against Shakhawat for provoking suicide at Godagari police station, said Kamrul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Godagari police station. Also read: Unsold surplus production, post-harvest losses for potato farmers amount to Tk25-35 billion OC Kamrul said Shakhawat has remained absconding since filing of the complaint. Meanwhile on Thursday, Shakhawat denied the allegation of not giving water supply to Rabi and Abhinath’s field when the UNB correspondent contacted him.

An Awami League activist who sustained injuries in poll-related violence in Jhenaidah died during treatment at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital on Saturday morning. The deceased was identified as Abdur Rahim, a local Awami League activist of Krishnanagar village. He was injured in union parishad election-related violence at Shailkupa in Jhenaidah. According to police, supporters of independent chairman candidate Zulfiqar Kaishar Tipu thrashed Abdur Rahim, who was campaigning for boat symbol candidate Mahmudul Hasan Mamun, at Katlagari Bazar in Sarutia union of Shailkupa upazila during the fifth phase of UP election on January 5. Also read: Awami League activist shot dead in Bandarban An injured Rahim was soon taken to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex from where he was referred him to Kushtia General Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was sent to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital for better treatment, where he died on Saturday morning. So far, four Awami League workers have been killed in attacks and clashes in different villages of the union. Also read: 2 killed, 15 hurt in Barishal Awami League factional clash

Just when people were letting their guards down, thinking they had seen the worst of Covid, single day deaths at RMCH doubled on Monday. As many as 14 people died of Covid-related reasons at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours, health officials said on Monday. The number was seven the previous day. Read: 9 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital The number of Covid-related deaths in the hospital was below 10 for the past six days after shattering all grim records in July and the better part of August. Of the fresh deaths, seven were confirmed Covid-19 patients,  six  showed symptoms of the virus and one more died due to post-Covid complications, said hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yeazdani. Of the deceased, four were from Rajshahi, two  from Chapainawabganj, five from  Natore and one each from Naogaon, Pabna, and Meherpur. While seven  of them were men, the remaining seven  were women. Shamim said that 29 people have been admitted to the corona unit of the hospital in the past 24 hours. On the other hand, some 25 people were discharged from the hospital after recovery during the period. Read: Covid: 13 more die at Rajshahi hospital Besides, some 161 people are currently undergoing treatment in the 513-bed corona unit of the hospital. RMCH has been one of the most stretched hospitals in the country during the second wave of Covid-19, particularly since the latter part of May when the deadly Delta variant of the virus was identified in multiple samples of Rajshahi division.

Twelve more Covid patients have died at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours, officials said on Sunday. Seven of them died of Covid-19, while five had symptoms of the virus infection, said hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani. Of the deceased, five were from Rajshahi, two each from Chapainawabganj, Naogaon and Natore districts and one from Pabna district. Also read: Covid-19: 11 more die at RMCH Besides, 25 people have been admitted to the corona unit of the hospital in the past 24 hours. On the other hand, some 33 people were discharged from the hospital after recovery during the period. Currently, 314 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital which has 513 beds. Of them, 20 are being treated at the ICU, said the hospital director. Also read: 21 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital Of the admitted patients, 181 have tested positive for Covid-19, while 77 have symptoms and 56 have post-Covid health complications.

Twenty-two more people have died of Covid-19 at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours, officials said on Friday morning. Of them, six were Covid-positive patients, while 15 showed symptoms of the virus and another died of post-Covid complications, the officials said. On Thursday too, 22 patients succumbed to Covid at the hospital. Also read: RMCH Corona unit scrambles as it reports 19 more deaths Hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani said that of the deceased, 11 were from Rajshahi district, four each from Chapainwabganj and Pabna, two from Natore, and one from Naogaon district. So far, 411 patients have died in the Covid ward of the hospital in the month of July, while the number was 405 in June. In the past 24 hours, 61 new patients have been admitted to the Covid-19 ward of the hospital and 62 released after recovery. Also read: 17 more people die of Covid at RMCH Some 412 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the 513-bed hospital. Of them 20 are being treated in the ICU, said the hospital director. Of the admitted patients, 186 have tested positive for Covid-119, while 174 are with symptoms and 53 have post-Covid health complications.

Nineteen more people have succumbed to Covid at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours, health officials said Tuesday. Hospital director Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani said that six of the patients were from Rajshahi district, three each from Natore, Naogaon and Pabna, and one hailed from Sirajganj district. Read: 12 more die of Covid at Rajshahi hospital On July 1, the authorities recorded as many as 22 deaths in the district, the highest single-day toll so far. Last month, some 354 people succumbed to Covid-19 at the corona unit of RMCH. "Meanwhile, 158 people have tested positive for corona at the hospital during the 24-hour period. Some 469 samples were tested in two laboratories of the district during the period," the director said. Read: Rajshahi Medical sees 22 deaths in single day The positivity rate currently stands at 33.69%, which was 29.63% a day before. Besides, 63 people have been admitted to the hospital with Covid symptoms in the past 24 hours. Currently, 504 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital which has 454 beds.

Nineteen more Covid-19 related deaths were reported at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) in the past 24 hours, health officials said on till Tuesday morning. Of the new fatalities, four were confirmed Covid patients while the remaining 15 exhibited symptoms of the virus. Read: 14 more Covid patients die at Rajshahi hospital Director General of the hospital Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani said that 10 of the patients were from Rajshahi district, two each from Natore and Naogaon, and one each from Chapainawabganj, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Joypurhat and Pabna districts. He also said that after two days of the rise in infections, the rate has come down again in the district. At two laboratories on Monday, samples of 658 people from Rajshahi district were tested and 191 were found infected with coronavirus. The positivity rate stands at 29.03%, which is 5.06% less than the previous day. Meanwhile, 76 people have been admitted to the hospital in the past 24 hours. At the same time, 73 people left the hospital after recovering. Some 489 people are currently undergoing treatment against 454 beds at RMCH. Among them, 19 patients are undergoing treatment in the ICU. Read: Rajshahi sees record 18 Covid deaths in single day RMCH has been one of the most stretched hospitals in the country during the second wave of Covid-19, particularly since the latter part of May when the deadly Delta variant of the virus was identified in multiple samples in Rajshahi division.