United News of Bangladesh

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said that old age allowance is not adequately meeting the needs of the poorest of the poor in Bangladesh, and more resource allocation is required.  “We did a survey in Bangladesh quite recently. One key critical issue that Bangladesh has to address is that the old age allowance is not meeting the [needs of] poorest of the poor. The coverage is still below 50 percent,” Senior ADB Economist Aiko Kikkawa told UNB while responding to a question during a media briefing on Thursday.  Acknowledging that Bangladesh is in the right direction to address the issue, the author of the report “Aging Well in Asia: Asian Development Policy Report,” released on Thursday by the ADB at its 57th annual meeting, said the government of Bangladesh can do a bit more to improve that. “That is exactly what they are doing, I think.” The Bangladesh government, the ADB economist said, probably has to find better ways to target and identify the poor, so that they will be able to distribute those funds.  “Currently we have also identified that resources are not enough to meet the demand for the older people. So resource allocation has to be done well,” she said.  The economist noted that different governments have different programs. ADB's Chief Economist Albert Park said, “We need good data to analyze all of these questions to understand different circumstances.” Developing Asia is aging rapidly, reflecting its success, but the region remains unprepared to secure old-age well-being, ADB said. Challenges for older Asians include a growing burden of lifestyle diseases, a lack of decent jobs, limited access to essential services such as health and long-term care, low pension coverage, and increasing isolation and loneliness. The gender dimension of aging needs greater attention. Policies must address the increased vulnerability of older women while meeting the unmet needs of all women to age well. Comprehensive aging policies can foster lifetime investment in one's own health, education, skills, financial preparedness for retirement, and family and social ties will foster healthy and productive cohorts of older people and maximize their contribution to economy and society, ADB said. Early investment is key for Asia to harness its silver dividend, said the ADB economists. The number of people aged 60 and older in developing Asia and the Pacific is set to nearly double by 2050 to 1.2 billion—or about a quarter of the total population—significantly increasing the need for pension and welfare programs as well as health care services, said the new report. At the same time, economies have an opportunity to reap a “silver dividend” in the form of additional productivity from older people, which could boost gross domestic product in the region by 0.9% on average, said the Asian Development Bank (ADB). “Asia and the Pacific’s rapid development is a success story, but it’s also fueling a huge demographic shift, and the pressure is rising,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park.  “Governments need to prepare now if they’re going to be able to help hundreds of millions of people in the region age well. Policies should support lifetime investment in health, education, skills, and financial preparedness for retirement,” he said, adding that family and social ties are also important to foster healthy and productive populations of older people and maximize their contribution to society.” Developing Asia and the Pacific is unprepared to secure the well-being of its rapidly aging population as the growing share of older people in the region faces challenges from low pension coverage to health problems, social isolation, and limited access to essential services, according to the multilateral development bank. While longer lifespans reflect the region’s development success, comprehensive policy reforms are urgently needed to support the welfare of older people, according to "Aging Well in Asia: Asian Development Policy Report." According to the report, 40% of people over age 60 in Asia and the Pacific lack access to any form of pension—with women disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to do unpaid domestic work.  As a result, many older people in the region have no choice but to work well beyond retirement age to survive.  Among those still working at age 65 or older, 94% work in the informal sector, which typically doesn’t provide basic labor protections or pension benefits. Physical and mental health challenges also increase with age.  Around 60% of older people in Asia and the Pacific do not attend or receive regular health checks, while 31% report depressive symptoms owing to illness, social isolation, and economic insecurity.  Older women in the region are also more likely than older men to suffer from ill health, from depression to diabetes and hypertension.  The report recommended a wide range of policy measures to support healthy and economically secure aging.  Among these are government-assisted health insurance and pension plans, improved health infrastructure, and free annual check-ups and lifestyle evaluations.  Policy makers should aim for universal health care coverage, while basic labor protections should be extended to older informal workers, according to the report. By making mandatory retirement ages more flexible, helping older people stay healthy, and providing them with suitable work opportunities as well as lifelong learning and skills development, economies in the region can help older people stay productive longer.  

The bodies of eight Bangladeshi nationals who died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and subsequently drowned near the coast of Tunisia arrived in the country on Thursday noon.A flight carrying the carcasses landed the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 12:30 pm.On February 14, a boat, carrying 52 passengers and a sailor from the coast of Zuwarah on its way to Europe, sank off the Tunisian coast, leaving nine people dead. Bodies of 8 Bangladeshis who died in Tunisia boat capsize to arrive todayForty-four people were rescued alive after the boat capsized.Among the 44 survivors, 27 are Bangladeshis, eight from Pakistan, five from Syria, three from Egypt and the boat man.Among the nine fatalities, eight were identified as Bangladeshis and one as a Pakistani national.The deceased were identified as Sajal Boiragi, Noyon Biswas, Mamun Sheikh, Sajib Kazi, Rifat Sheikh, Imrul Kayes, Md Kaiser, Apon and Russel Sheikh from Madaripur and Gopalganj districts.Meanwhile, a case was filed with the Airport Police Station.Police arrested two people in this connection.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast rain or thundershowers in parts of the country inclduing Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Thursday. “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at a few places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Dhaka, Mymensingh and Barishal divisions with hails at isolated places,” said a Met office bulletin. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Meanwhile, a very severe heat wave is sweeping Jashore, Khulna, Chuadanga, Pabna and Rajshahi districts and severe heat wave is scorching  Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalgonj and parts of Khulna division, it said. The heat wave may abate from some places over the eastern part of the country. Day temperature may fall slightly over western part and it may fall by 1-2 °C elsewhere over the country. Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.    

River ports Noakhali and Chattogram have been asked to hoist cautionary signal No 1 due to possible inclement weather. According to the bulletin of Bangladesh Metrological Department, in association with rain or thundershowers temporary west or north westerly gusty or squally wind speed 45-60 kph is likely in the regions of Noakhali and Chattogram. Rain brings relief in Port City

The number of people aged 60 and above in developing Asia and the Pacific is set to nearly double by 2050 to 1.2 billion—or about a quarter of the total population—significantly increasing the need for pension and welfare programs as well as healthcare services, said a new report on Thursday (May 02, 2024). At the same time, economies have an opportunity to reap a “silver dividend” in the form of additional productivity from older people, which could boost gross domestic product in the region by 0.9% on average, said the Asian Development Bank (ADB). “Asia and the Pacific’s rapid development is a success story, but it’s also fueling a huge demographic shift, and the pressure is rising,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park.  “Governments need to prepare now if they’re going to be able to help hundreds of millions of people in the region age well. Policies should support lifetime investment in health, education, skills, and financial preparedness for retirement. Family and social ties are also important to foster healthy and productive populations of older people and maximize their contribution to society.” Developing Asia and the Pacific is unprepared to secure the well-being of its rapidly aging population as the growing share of older people in the region face challenges from low pension coverage to health problems, social isolation, and limited access to essential services, according to the multilateral development bank. ADB, WTO strengthen collaboration for sustainable economic growth in Asia-Pacific region While longer lifespans reflect the region’s development success, comprehensive policy reforms are urgently needed to support the welfare of older people, according to “Aging Well in Asia: Asian Development Policy Report,” released on Thursday by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at its 57th Annual Meeting. According to the report, 40% of people over age 60 in Asia and the Pacific lack access to any form of pension—with women disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to do unpaid domestic work.  As a result, many older people in the region have no choice but to work well beyond retirement age to survive.  Among those still working at age 65 or older, 94% work in the informal sector, which typically doesn’t provide basic labor protections or pension benefits. Physical and mental health challenges also increase with age.  FBCCI urges govt policy to facilitate backward linkage industries Around 60% of older people in Asia and the Pacific do not attend or receive regular health checks, while 31% report depressive symptoms owing to illness, social isolation, and economic insecurity.  Older women in the region are also more likely than older men to suffer from ill health, from depression to diabetes and hypertension.  The report recommended a wide range of policy measures to support healthy and economically secure aging.  Among these are government-assisted health insurance and pension plans, improved health infrastructure, and free annual check-ups and lifestyle evaluations.  Policy makers should aim for universal healthcare coverage, while basic labor protections should be extended to older informal workers, according to the report. By making mandatory retirement ages more flexible, helping older people stay healthy, and providing them with suitable work opportunities as well as lifelong learning and skills development, economies in the region can help older people stay productive longer. Read more: Developing Asian economies’ growth expected to be sustained at 4.9% this year and the next, ADB President says ahead of Annual Meeting

The bodies of eight Bangladeshi nationals who died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and subsequently drowned near the coast of Tunisia will arrive in the country this afternoon. According to a Facebook post by the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the coffins, transported via Saudia Airlines, are scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 12:15 pm on May 2. On Tuesday, in the presence of Bangladesh's Ambassador to Libya and non-resident envoy to Tunisia, Major General (Retd.) Abul Hasnat Mohammad Khairul Bashar, embassy officials transferred the bodies to the authorities at Tunis International Airport. Hasan Mahmud to attend OIC Summit in Gambia Following the tragic incident on the night of February 14, officials at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli worked closely with Tunisia's Foreign Ministry and local authorities to manage the forensic identification, confirmation of identities through domestic agencies, issuance of death and medical certificates, and coordination of the repatriation process. The Foreign Ministry's Africa Wing coordinated inter-ministerial efforts to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies, with assistance from the ministries of home, law, and funds from the Expatriates Welfare Ministry. Among the deceased are Sajal, Noyon Biswas, Mamun Sheikh, Kazi Sajib, and Kaiser Khalifa from Madaripur district, and Rifat, Russel, and Imrul Kayes from Gopalganj district. A boat, carrying 52 passengers and a sailor from the coast of Zuwarah on its way to Europe, sank off the Tunisian coast. Out of the 44 survivors, 27 are Bangladeshis, with others from Pakistan (8), Syria (5), and Egypt (4). Among the nine fatalities, eight were identified as Bangladeshis and one as a Pakistani national. Read more: Bangladesh, Austria agree to conclude MoU on migration, mobility

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Wednesday night. “Madam (Khaleda) has been brought to the hospital for some urgent tests. He has been admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) as per the advice of the medical board,” her personal physician Prof AZM Zahid Hossain told reporters around 9:30 pm. Khaleda Zia taken to Evercare Hospital for check-up “The medical board will meet at night and decide the next course of action for her treatment,” he added. Khaleda Zia was taken to Evercare Hospital in the evening for health check-up. Khaleda will have health check-up at Evercare Hospital this evening    Earlier on March 31, the BNP chairpersons was admitted to the hospital and stayed there for two days for some pathological tests and regular examinations. Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail. Khaleda’s doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021. On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.

Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia, addressed the Regional Consultation on WHO South-East Asia Priority Programme Initiative in New Delhi, marking a significant step in her first year of leadership. Wazed's opening remarks came after completing the first quarter of her tenure, a period she described as full of learning and valuable interactions with Member States and the WHO team. During the consultation, Wazed emphasized the creation of a roadmap for the Priority Programmes that will guide the strategic direction during her term. These programmes were developed with contributions from Member States, aiming to address key health issues across the region and achieve transnational and multigenerational benefits. Developing Asian economies’ growth expected to be sustained at 4.9% this year and the next, ADB President says ahead of Annual Meeting Wazed shared her vision for the region, focusing on a holistic approach to health and well-being. She emphasized prioritizing the health of women, children, and marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities and underscored the goal of achieving universal health coverage within primary health care. The WHO Regional Director highlighted the need for strong partnerships and collaborations beyond traditional health system boundaries to address determinants of health outside these systems. She stressed that in working with a new and expanded range of partners, WHO's technical leadership, drawn from an extensive network of health professionals, could enrich all collaborations. The consultation will delve into technical and non-technical aspects necessary for promoting health and well-being in the region. Wazed called for country engagement and ownership of the regional Priority Programme Initiatives as a tactical strategy to meet these ends. Participants are expected to discuss and contribute to the draft strategic framework known as the Regional Roadmap for Results and Resilience. This roadmap aims to drive results, promote resilience, and enhance the health and well-being of communities across the region. It is synchronized with the WHO 14th General Programme of Work to support the accelerated progress towards SDG3 through five key action points: Promote, Provide, Protect, Power, and Perform. Free press is not a choice, but a necessity: Antonio Guterres Reflecting on the collective effort required, Wazed stated, "The roadmap for these programmes is now in your hands. I urge all of you to take ownership of it. This is not my roadmap - it is ours. Please give it the best of your intuition, experience, and expertise." As the region faces various public health challenges, Wazed's call to action sets a hopeful tone for strategic health improvements driven by local solutions and collaborative efforts across South-East Asia.

A 40-year-old man died on a train at Dhaka’s Kamalapur Station early today. Mosharraf Hossain, a resident of Chhapara village in Alamdanga upazila, Chuadanga, was traveling home from his job in Chattogram when he suddenly became unconscious around 3:30 am and subsequently passed away. Woman, nephew die as bus hits them in Dhaka's Pallabi Hossain was employed as a security guard in Kalurghat, Chattogram. He had left his workplace on Tuesday night to return to his village. Upon his arrival at Kamalapur Station, fellow passengers discovered his condition and retrieved his body from the train. Rahima Akhter, sub-inspector at the Railway Police Station, reported that the initial belief is that Hossain died from a stroke. His family confirmed that he had previously suffered a stroke. Miscreants gun down Awami League leader in Natore Following a request from his family, Hossain's body was handed over on Wednesday afternoon without an autopsy.

Police have detained as many as 20 members of Jamaat-e-Islami and its students wing Islami Chhatra Shibir in Natore. They were detained on Tuesday night while holding a 'secret meeting' at the house of local Jamaat leader Ainul Haque in Shivnagar village of Lalpur upazila, according to Lalpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nasim Ahmed. Tiger found dead in Sundarbans District Jamaat Karma Parishad member Professor Abdul Wahab and Assistant General Secretary of Lalpur Upazila Jamaat MasUd Rana were among the detainees, he added. They were handed over to the court on Wednesday, said the OC. Lalpur Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Abul Kalam Azad said in a circular that the police raided and detained 20 leaders and activists during the party's new membership drive.