United News of Bangladesh

Speakers at a discussion on Wednesday urged ophthalmologists to promote women leadership in eye health to make them contribute more to health care.The call came at the discussion titled “Women Leadership and Gender Mainstreaming in Eye Health in Bangladesh” held in the capital Prof Ava Hossain, a globally renowned ophthalmologist, said women should not think that they cannot lead because of their age, position or circumstances. “If we have something to contribute, we should come forward and make your voices heard. Leadership requires courage, commitment and the willingness to work with others,” she said.According to Ava Hossain, who was the first Bangladeshi and first female president of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO), said leadership does not simply come from holding a position.“Everyone should try to develop themselves through self-education. We should attend seminars and conferences, set targets for ourselves and think about how we can reach a leadership position,” she added.Ava Hossain said leadership development should start from home and from within own professional organisations.Ophthalmology Women Circle of Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB) organised the event with the support of Orbis International. Ophthalmologists from different medical colleges and health facilities joined the discussion.National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO) Director Dr Sayeed Mehbub ul Kadir, OSB President Dr Md Tauhidur Rahman, Secretary General Prof Dr Zinnu Rain, Vice-president Prof Md. Sayedul Huq, Advisor Prof Dr Md Shahabuddin, Orbis International Country Director Dr Munir Ahmed and Associate Director Md Iqbal Hossain spoke at the event.Prof Dr Zakia Sultana Shahid shared with the audience her journey as an ophthalmologist while Prof Dr Jesmin Ahmed presented a paper on the role of physician intercommunication.Chief Executive of DevResonance Limited Nazme Sabina conducted a session on gender mainstreaming in eye health.In his speech, Dr Sayeed Mehbub ul Kadir said Bangladesh is going to see a momentum in eye care as the country has been primarily selected for Global Vision Award, which will bring home big funds for the sector. He urged the ophthalmologists to get prepared for the momentum.Dr Munir Ahmed hailed the role women physicians are playing but lamented that they are lagging behind in leadership. “The number of women physicians is high. But when it comes to leadership, we still see very little representation of women. There is a clear disparity between women’s participation in the health workforce and their presence in leadership positions,” he said.According to Dr Munir, mentorship can play a vital role in addressing these challenges.Prof Md. Sayedul Huq and Prof Md Shahabuddin urged the ophthalmologists to take greater responsibility, which, they said, would lead them to leadership positions.

Eight more people died of dengue and 1,860 new patients were hospitalised across the country in 24 hours until 8:00am on Wednesday. With the latest fatalities, the dengue death toll has risen to 289 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Among the deaths, two each  were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation, Khulna and Rajshahi division while one each in Sylhet and  Barishal divisions, it said. Currently, 5,775 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country. Since January 1 this year, a total of 92,216 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 86,152 have recovered.  

Six more children died with measles and measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Wednesday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1140 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), two were confirmed as measles-related while the remaining four were classified as suspected deaths. With this, the total number of confirmed deaths from measles has risen to 104 and suspected deaths to 1036. A total of 1280 new suspected measles cases were reported during the period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 200,293. Meanwhile, 110 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 22,020. Since March 15 this year, a total of 177,676 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 170,473 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

Bangladesh recorded its highest single-day dengue death toll this year on Tuesday, with 10 people succumbing to the mosquito-borne disease in the past 24 hours. With the latest fatalities, the dengue death tally has risen to 281 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the 10 new deaths, three were reported in Khulna division, two in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), two in Barishal division, and one was recorded each in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka division and Rajshahi division. Men accounted for 47.7 percent of the total deaths, while women accounted for 52.3 percent. The previous highest daily dengue death toll this year was recorded on September 8, when nine people died of the disease. Since January 1, a total of 90,356 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country, of whom 84,299 have recovered. Of the total, 75 people have died in DSCC, 55 in Khulna division, 35 in DNCC, 25 in Chattogram division, 24 in Barishal, 23 in Mymensingh, 19 in Rajshahi, 17 in Dhaka division, six in Rangpur and two in Sylhet division, according to the DGHS report.

Three children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Sunday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1,125 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all three latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths, saying no confirmed deaths from the highly contagious airborne disease were reported during the period. With this, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 1,023, while confirmed deaths from measles have remained the same at 102. A total of 1,218 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, taking the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to196,418. Meanwhile, 82 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, pushing laboratory-confirmed infections to 21,748. Since March 15 this year, a total of 174,149 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 166,908 have recovered, according to the DGHS.

Six more people died of dengue and 1,608 new patients were hospitalised across the country in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Saturday. With the latest fatalities, the dengue death toll has risen to 256 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Among the deaths, two each  were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation and Rajshahi division while one each in Khulna and  Barishal divisions, it said. Currently, 5,631 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at different hospitals across the country. Since January 1 this year, a total of 84,369 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country. Of them, 78,482 have recovered.

Eight more children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Saturday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1122 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all eight latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 1020, while confirmed deaths from measles have remained the same at 102. A total of 1,109 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 195,197. Meanwhile, 43 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 21,666. Since March 15 this year, a total of 173,024 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 167,756 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

Four children died of measles and similar symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Friday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1,114 this year. Of the latest fatalities, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified one as a confirmed measles death and the remaining three as suspected deaths. With this, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 1,012, while confirmed deaths have reached 102.  A total of 1,221 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 194,084. Meanwhile, 21 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 21,623. Since March 15 this year, a total of 172,021 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 166,933 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

As healthcare facilities continue to face growing demands related to dengue, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) through its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) and the American Red Cross, on Thursday provided dengue diagnostic and prevention supplies to Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital in Dhaka. The support package includes 4000 Dengue NS1 Rapid Diagnostic Test kits and 200 mosquito nets to help strengthen early detection, prevention and patient support measures during the ongoing dengue response. The support forms part of BDRCS's broader efforts to strengthen dengue prevention, early detection and response while supporting healthcare facilities and communities affected by the ongoing outbreak. Working closely with government authorities and Movement partners, BDRCS continues to complement the national response through community awareness, volunteer mobilisation, health promotion and targeted support to health facilities. Speaking at the event, Barrister Md. Abdus Salam, Chairman of BDRCS, said, "As dengue continues to place pressure on hospitals and communities across the country, timely diagnosis and prevention remain critical to saving lives. Through this support, we are helping strengthen the capacity of frontline health facilities while also contributing to wider efforts to reduce the impact of dengue on people and families. We remain committed to working closely with government authorities and our Movement partners to support the national response." This latest contribution builds on BDRCS's broader support to the national dengue response. In July 2026, BDRCS handed over more than 40,000 Dengue NS1 Rapid Diagnostic Test kits to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to strengthen dengue testing and early detection capacity across the country. Together with community awareness activities, volunteer mobilisation and support to health facilities, this assistance reflects BDRCS's continued commitment to complementing government-led efforts to reduce the health and humanitarian impacts of dengue. Barrister Md. Abdus Salam, Chairman of BDRCS, formally handed over the supplies to representatives of Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital. The ceremony was attended by representatives of BDRCS, IFRC, the American Red Cross and Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital, reflecting the continued collaboration between humanitarian and health partners in addressing dengue-related needs. Dr. Md. Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Director of Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital said, ‘Over the past three months, has provided treatment to 571 dengue patients. To make dengue testing more accessible and affordable, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) is providing dengue testing at the lowest available fee.’ The ceremony was also attended by Md. Habibur Rahman Khan, Secretary General, BDRCS; Professor Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. S. M. Humayun Kabir, Director, Health, BDRCS; Sonakshi Dey, Acting Head of Delegation of IFRC; and Tirtha Joshi, Country Representative of American Red Cross in Bangladesh. Representing Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital were Dr. Md. Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Director, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital, and Professor Dr. K. M. Mozibul Haque, Principal, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College. As an auxiliary to the Government of Bangladesh in humanitarian services, BDRCS continues to work alongside government authorities, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other partners to support communities and health facilities and help reduce the health and humanitarian impacts of dengue.

Four children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Wednesday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1,108 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all four latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With his, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 1007, while confirmed deaths from measles have remained the same at 101. A total of 1,221 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 191,731. Meanwhile, 128 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 21,520. Since March 15 this year, a total of 169,800 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 162,873 have recovered, according to DGHS data.