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No alternative to building field hospitals to save lives: GM Quader
As Covid cases continue to surge in Bangladesh, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday said there is no alternative to setting up field hospitals to save the lives of the virus-infected people.
In a statement, he said it has become urgent to construct field hospitals for Covid treatment in the areas where the virus transmission is very high. “Since the outbreak of corona is not waning, there’s no alternative to building the field hospitals at this moment to save the lives of the country’s people.”
Read: Govt losing trust with ministers’ ‘funny’ remarks: GM Quader
If necessary, the Jatiya Party chief said, members of Bangladesh Army can be given the responsibility to build field hospitals.
He said the Delta variant has spread to remote areas. “Gradually, the entire country has become a hotspot for corona. Already, about 90 percent of beds in Covid dedicated hospitals are now packed and ICU beds are occupied in most hospitals.”
Referring to Health Minister Zahid Maleque’s comment that the government is thinking of renting hotels for providing treatment to Covid patients with mild complications, GM Quader said setting up field hospitals is relatively more convenient and less risky for the treatment of the highly contagious coronavirus.
Read: Mass vaccination only solution to Covid crisis: GM Quader
“China, Thailand and Indonesia have already had successes in corona treatment by building field hospitals to deal with corona,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chairman said the members of Bangladesh Army’s engineering corps build field hospitals hurriedly during various military exercises every year. “They’ve a great experience in building field hospitals. The country will benefit only if the Bangladesh Army is given the responsibility to build field hospitals.”
Read:GM Quader demands probe into vaccine, Covid test costs
For the past few weeks, Bangladesh has been experiencing the worst coronavirus wave spurred by the highly transmittable Delta variant which was first identified in India.
According to a survey by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), 98 percent of the Covid patients recently detected in Bangladesh are of the highly contagious Delta variant.
Global Covid cases approach 201 million
The global Covid-19 caseload is now nearing the grim milestone of 201 million, as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to devastate several countries even with mass inoculations underway.
The total caseload and fatalities from the virus stand at 200,792,438 and 4,265,792, respectively, as of Friday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
So far, 4,305,633,910 Covid vaccine doses have been administered across the globe, as per the university data.
The US has logged 35,432,333 cases and 615,309 deaths to date, according to the university data. The death toll in the United States is the highest in the world.
Also read: US plans to require COVID-19 shots for foreign travelers
India recorded the world's second highest caseload of 31,855,783, followed by Brazil with 20,066,587 cases as well as the world's second largest death toll of 560,801.
Besides, India’s death toll reached 426,785 on Thursday morning.
Countries with more than four million cases include Russia, France, Britain, Turkey, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Italy and Iran, while those with over 100,000 deaths include India, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Britain, Italy, Colombia and France.
The global caseload reached the grim milestone of 100 million on January 26, and doubled in more than half a year this Thursday.
Situation in Bangladesh
Grappling with the worst coronavirus wave spurred by the highly contagious Delta variant, Bangladesh reported 264 more deaths in 24 hours till Thursday morning, shattering all the previous records.
The country saw the highest-ever 258 Covid deaths on July 27 before that.
Also read: Bangladesh shatters its own records; reports 264 single-day Covid deaths
Besides, 12,744 people came out positive with the virus after the test of 46,995 samples during the 24-hour period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The fresh numbers took the total fatality to 21,905 and the caseload to 1,322,654.
The case positivity rate during the period fell slightly to 27.12% from Wednesday’s 27.91%, while the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 5% or below rate.
The country has been seeing over 14,000 cases and 230 deaths every day on an average for the last seven days.
The recovery rate, however, rose to 87.47%, with the recovery of 15,786 people during the period.
However, the case fatality rose to 1.66% again from Wednesday's 1.65% during the same period, the DGHS added.
Dhaka division remained the worst-hit region, logging 87 deaths, followed by 56 in Chattogram, 35 in Khulna, 23 in Sylhet, 19 in Rajshahi, 18 in Rangpur, 12 in Rajshahi, 16 in Barishal and 10 in Mymensingh divisions.
Of the deceased, 140 were men and 164 women.
BYLC Summit: Struggles, challenges of marginalised groups spotlighted at plenary
Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre (BYLC) Youth Leadership Summit 2021 plenary session "Living on the edge" underscored the struggles and challenges of marginalised groups Thursday.
The four-day summit is being held virtually through a webinar on Zoom, with a focus on listening to the voices of marginalised youths and crafting solutions together to achieve inclusivity in terms of opportunities to work, exercising equal rights, access to better health, livelihood, education, and skills development within the society.
Tashnuva Anan, social activist and news anchor at Boishakhi TV, Chandra Tripura, founder and director of Hill Resource Centre, and Umama Zillur, founder and director of Kotha, and Vashkar Bhattacharjee, programme manager of Young Power in Social Action, spoke at Thursday's plenary on the second day of the event.
The professionals shared their struggles, challenges, leadership journey, access to opportunities, power of togetherness, and vision for Bangladesh.
Not all youths can enjoy equal rights within society. Race, ethnicity, gender, and social class divide people and this difference restricts many youths from accessing great opportunities and leave others with opportunities at all, they said.
So, the speakers discussed how they designed interventions and solved problems while echoing the concerns of marginalised youths – including young people with disabilities; youths from Dalit, madrassa, and low-income backgrounds, and with transgender identity.
Tashnuva spoke about stereotypes, social stigmas, and the vulnerability of certain groups amid the pandemic.
The social activist also discussed the role of identities and how she broke the barriers down and took a courageous step forward, even after being a member of a marginalised group.
Umama – also a feminist activist and researcher at Power and Participation Research Centre – shared insights on how to navigate the difficulties in life and identify stakeholders and their perceptions.
Participants also shared their reflections and interacted with the speakers. The conversation focused on inspirations, vision, and the importance of humility and action.
It also featured system diagnosis; the work of leadership, and how it can be exercised to raise concerns and take initiatives.
Next, the workshop "Translating vision into action" was held through a class session followed by small group activities.
The participants were taught to design intervention strategies through online platforms such as digital posters, videos, and share them on social media platforms using a hashtag.
Earlier, Thursday's session started with a debrief and leadership session where the instructor heard reflections from the participants about the previous day and asked them to share some of the key takeaways.
Next, the instructor built the conversation from the reflections and generated a conversation, differentiating authority and leadership.
To harness inclusiveness in society and diversity in youth leadership, BYLC Youth Leadership Summit 2021 began online Wednesday.
The summit has brought together 300 delegates from 149 educational institutions across 45 districts.
The theme of this year's summit is "Journey towards an inclusive Bangladesh," and United News of Bangladesh is the official online news partner of the event.
The summit consists of plenaries and workshops featuring industry experts and policymakers.
Participants are getting the opportunity to network, learn; practise leadership skills, and share ideas with their peers.
Continuation of drugs patent waiver for Bangladesh can help others
The World Trade Organization (WTO) should continue drugs patent waiver for Bangladesh as the country graduates from the club of least developed countries (LDC) in 2024.
As an LDC, Bangladesh is enjoying exemption from the patent rights and conditions set by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
Read: WTO to start Covid-19 vaccine supply negotiations amid clash on patents
After 2024, the country will need to comply with TRIPS. However, the extension of the TRIPS waiver for Bangladesh will directly benefit developed countries along with other LDCs and developing countries as they will be able to import low-cost medicines from here.
Experts said this at the "Emerging Issues in Access to Treatment for Covid-19 in Bangladesh" jointly organised by Equity BD, People's Health Movement Bangladesh and the Third World Network.
Read: More support easing vaccine patent rules, but hurdles remain
KM Gopakumar, senior researcher and legal advisor at the Third World Network, said: "People in developing countries and LDCs need access to vaccines and other health products to survive the pandemic, which requires widespread availability of these health products."
"TRIPS waiver offers the policy space to do away with the IP monopoly and facilitate the scaling up or production through diversification of the manufacturing base. Also, there is an urgent need to negotiate a smooth transition period for graduating LDCs to address concerns on matters affecting peoples' health," he added.
BGMEA urges buyers to allow more shipping liners, off-docks
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has requested global apparel buyers to nominate more shipping liners and off-docks to help suppliers make timely shipments of export containers.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the request at a meeting with stakeholders – including the main-line operator (MLO) and buyers' representatives – Thursday to discuss container stockpiling and vessel shortage problem, which has been impacting apparel exports.
Read: BGMEA requests India to expedite trade through Bangaon-Benapole land port
Export containers loaded with RMG products are facing a delay of extra 10-15 days at Chattogram port due to buyers' choice of selective shipping lines and off-docks, Faruque Hassan said.
He requested apparel buyers, including H&M and M&S, to allow more shipping liners and off-docks, as it would reduce pressure on selective shipping lines in shipments of exported goods.
Read: BGMEA urges buyers not to penalise suppliers for lockdown-caused delays
BGMEA Vice-President Miran Ali; directors Asif Ashraf, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former director Ashikur Rahman Tuhin, Chairman of Standing Committee on Port and Shipping Hasan Abdullah, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Director Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, H&M Regional Country Manager for Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman, Marks and Spencer Country Head Shwapna Bhowmick and Maersk Country Manager of Angshuman Mitra Mustafi attended the meeting held at BGMEA office in the capital.
Earlier, the BGMEA in a letter requested global apparel buyers through the Buyers' Forum, a group of the representatives of major apparel buyers, to nominate as many forwarders as possible to deliver shipments on time.
Mahbub Ali Khan’s 37th death anniversary Friday
The 37th death anniversary of Rear Admiral (retd) Mahbub Ali Khan, also a former minister for communications and agriculture, will be observed on Friday.
Elaborate programmes have been chalked out to observe the day, both at home and abroad, with due respect.
Special prayers will be offered and Quran khwani will be held at different mosques in Dhaka, Sylhet, Bogura, Jamalpur, and Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the USA and the UK to mark the day, said a press release on Thursday.
Read: Mahbub Ali Khan’s death anniv Thursday
Besides, wreaths will be placed at his Banani grave in Dhaka on Friday morning on the occasion.
Surovi, a voluntary organisation founded by MA Khan’s wife, will arrange special prayers for the salvation of the departed soul.
Special prayers and Quran Khawani will also be held in different orphanages in Dhaka throughout the week. Coronavirus awareness programmes will be carried out in these orphanages.
Read: Mahbub Ali Khan’s death anniv Tuesday
Mahbub was also the father-in-law of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Ali Khan Memorial Committee is scheduled to arrange a virtual discussion-cum-doa mahfil in the UK in observance of the day on Friday.
Special prayers will be held at Brick Lane Mosque in London. Food items will be given to food banks in London. Special prayers will be held in Washington, D.C. and New York City, USA.
Pori, Raj ringleaders of organised gang: Rab
Film actress Pori Moni and her associate Nazrul Islam Raj were the ringleaders of an organised crime gang, said Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Legal and Media Wing of Rab, on Thursday.
He came up with the remarks while briefing reporters about Pori Moni’s arrest at its headquarters in the afternoon.
They carried out their activities in different posh areas of the capital, including Gulshan, Baridhara and Banani, targeting people from the affluent section of society and had been selling drugs in the name of holding parties or DJ parties.
“Pori Moni had a minibar at her home and it was often used as a venue for such parties,” said Rab Commander Moin.
A case was filed against Dhallywood actress Pori Moni under the Narcotics Control Act on Thursday following her detention on Wednesday.
Two more cases -- one under the Narcotics Control Act and another under the Pornography Control Act—were filed against her associate Nazrul Islam Raj, owner of Raj Multimedia.
Read: Dhallywood actress Pori Moni detained from Banani residence
The elite force filed these cases with Banani Police Station, said the Rab official.
On Tuesday night, Rab arrested Sharful Hasan alias Mishu Hasan ,31, and his accomplice Md Masudul Islam alias Jishan, 39, along with firearms and huge stash of contraband items from Bashundhara Residential Area, he said.
High levels of toxic chemical found in machine-delivered receipts: ESDO report
A high level of toxic chemical has been found in the cash receipts that customers get through machines at payment counters of restaurants, super shops and ATM booths, according to a study report released on Thursday.
Bisphenol A affects not only the humans but environment, animals and plants as well, said the study by Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) in its new research report on "BPA in Receipt: Toxin in Finger" in a virtual event.
The report said BPA, initially created as an estrogen supplement, has been linked to development problems in infants and children, and cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease in adults.
Researchers said that BPA is broadly used as a plasticizer that is bound in polymers to make plastic bottles and food can liners and on thermal imaging paper used to print credit-card and cash register receipts, point-of-sale receipts, ATM receipts, prescription labels, airline tickets and other machine-generated receipts.
According to this study the percentage availability of BPA in Cash Receipts is 0.08% - 3.7% by weight which is higher than the EU’s standard rate 0.02% by weight.
ESDO research team leader Dr. Shahriar Hossain said that thermal paper is usually used in cash register receipts in restaurants, food stores doing BPA contamination of food from fingers and hands.
He said BPA from thermal paper can be absorbed through the blood faster. At the levels measured in this study, many illnesses like diabetes and disorders like obesity can increase, he added.
The study revealed that BPA from receipts seeps into the skin, dramatically increasing the amount of BPA in the human body. And the hand disinfectant increased the absorption rate. Additionally, commonly used skin care products also appear to increase the rate of absorption of BPA, the researchers commented.
ESDO research team assessed the situation through a baseline survey carried out from February 2019 to January 2020 on total 1350 people (Consumer and retailers) to assess public perception on Bisphenol-A (BPA) in thermal papers used in popular outlets in Bangladesh.
Besides, cash receipts have been collected from local shops (Fast food, super shop, restaurants, pharmacy, ATM etc.) and ATM booths of the surveyed areas by ESDO research team.
The laboratory tests of thermal papers found the presence of BPA in quantities ranging from 10 – 53 μg/cm2 where 0% of the population surveyed was aware of thermal paper containing BPA and its adverse effects.
Former Secretary and ESDO Chairperson Syed Marghub Murshed, who presided over the session, said the current outlook is based on a review by the ESDO of numerous studies, as well as its in-depth research on BPA.
He urged the government to work seriously on this subject, while ESDO will assist the government in integrating the issue of BPA into regulations.
Joint Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Keya Khan attended the event as special guest.
She stated that as children and pregnant women are vulnerable to BPA, the health and environmental hazards needs to be assessed and regulated through proper monitoring.
Additional Secretary of Health Service Division Enamul Haque of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare appreciated the initiative and called for taking necessary steps to look for environmental friendly alternative immediately.
ESDO Executive Director Siddika Sultanacalled for a proper waste segregation and management for BPA coated receipts to prevent BPA contamination of drinking water and food.
Director General of Department of Environment (DoE) expressed his concern over the issue while delivering his speech as chief guest. He said “The threat arising from BPA in receipts should not be overlooked.”
He spoke of the need for formulating regulation to tackle the problem.
Former Chairman of Department of Chemistry in the University of Dhaka Prof. Dr. Abu Jafar Mahmud, , Former Chairman of Department of Chemistry in Jahangirnagar University Prof. Dr. Abul Hashem, Director of DOE Masud Iqbal Shameem,
,Project Coordinator of Environmental Intervention Unit, icddr,b Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman also spoke at the programme.
218 more dengue patients hospitalized in 24 hrs :DGHS
A total of 218 fresh dengue cases were reported in Bangladesh in the last 24 hours till Thursday morning.
Since August 1, the country has been seeing over 200 dengue cases daily which are adding worries to the already overburdened health sector with Covid-19 patients.
Read: Is it tackling dengue or tackling Porimoni
Of the new dengue cases, 208 were reported in Dhaka while the rest from outside the capital, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
According to the (DGHS), 1,055 patients are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals across the country. Of them 1,012 patients were reported to be admitted in Dhaka hospitals.
Some 3,901 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January and 2,836 of them have been released after they recovered.
So far, 10 suspected deaths by dengue were reported to Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) but none of them has been reviewed and confirmed yet, said the DGHS.
Read: Dengue surge:237 more hospitalized in 24 hrs
Dengue fever was first reported in Bangladesh in 2000, claiming 93 lives that year. In the years that followed, the country learned to deal with the disease much better.
The fatalities had almost fallen to zero at one stage, before surging again in 2018, leading to the severe outbreak the following year.
Bangladesh shatters its own records; reports 264 single-day Covid deaths
Grappling with the worst coronavirus wave spurred by the highly contagious Delta variant, Bangladesh reported 264 more deaths in 24 hours till Thursday morning, shattering all the previous records.
The country saw the highest-ever 258 Covid deaths on July 27 before that.
Besides, 12,744 people came out positive with the virus after the test of 46,995 samples during the 24-hour period, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The fresh numbers took the total fatality to 21,905 while the caseload to 1,322,654.
The case positivity rate during the period fell slightly to 27.12% from Wednesday’s 27.91%, while the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 5% or below rate.
The country has been seeing over 14,000 cases and 230 deaths every day on average for the last seven days.
The recovery rate, however, rose to 87.47%, with the recovery of 15,786 people during the period.
However, the case fatality rose to 1.66% again from yesterday’s 1.65% during the same period, the DGHS added.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh announces new restriction rules
Dhaka division remained the worst hit region, logging 87 deaths followed by 56 in Chattogram, 35 in Khulna, 23 in Sylhet, 19 in Rajshahi, 18 in Rangpur, 12 in Rajshahi, 16 in Barishal and 10 in Mymensingh divisions.
Of them, 140 were men and 164 were women.