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Severe heat wave persist in parts of country; rainfall may increase in northeastern districts next week
The severe heat wave sweeping parts of Bangladesh continued unabated and rain may increase in northeastern part of the country on Sunday or Monday, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
“Severe heat wave is sweeping Khulna division , Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rajshahi, Pabna, Faridpur and Gopalgonj distircts. Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping Barishal division, parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi & Dhaka divisions and Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noahkali, Feni & Bandarban and it may continue,”said a Met office bulletin.
It also issued a warning that the ongoing heat wave may persist for 72 hours starting Thursday morning.
Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country in 24 hours commencing 9am on Thursday.
Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may persist.
The highest temperature of the country was recoded at 41.6 degree Celsius at Mongla in Khulna on Wednesday.
Heatwave alert extended in Bangladesh for 72 hours
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a warning that the ongoing heatwave is likely to persist for 72 hours starting Thursday (April 25, 2024) morning.
The BMD cites increased moisture incursion as a factor contributing to the sustained uncomfortable conditions.
Met office issues heat alert for another 72 hours
This announcement follows earlier alerts issued on April 19 and April 22, as the BMD continues to monitor and respond to the challenging weather patterns affecting the region.
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Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy’ this morning
Dhaka has ranked 15th on the list of cities with the worst air quality, with an AQI score of 119, at 8:59 am this morning.
The air quality of the city today was classified as 'unhealthy' for sensitive groups.
India’s Delhi, Egypt’s Cairo, and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 385, 187 and 171, respectively.
Dhaka’s air quality 5th worst in the world this morning
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka’s air quality 4th worst in the world this morning
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
If Aedes larvae found in building construction sites, works to be stopped: Taposh
If Aedes larvae are found in the construction sites of buildings, the work will be stopped if necessary, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh warned on Wednesday.
"Our surveys found that under construction buildings are ideal sources for breeding of Aedes mosquitoes . . . tougher action will be taken against owners and authorities of under construction buildings if they ignore the directives to destroy breeding grounds of Aedes Mosquito," he said .
He was talking to reporters after visiting renovation works of Dr Kazi Bashir Auditorium in the capital's Gulistan.
He urged all developer organizations and their association REHAB to play their due role in destroying breeding grounds of mosquitoes.
He said, "We have taken all necessary measures to tackle any outbreak of dengue disease . . . we will launch our drives from the beginning of next month to prevent the mosquito-borne disease."
According to the action plan, the campaign to control dengue will be conducted from May and view exchange meetings will be held with all stakeholders, said Taposh.
The main purpose of the meeting is to regularly keep all the buildings and residences under their control neat and clean.
"All relevant organizations have to work in a coordinated manner to combat mosquito-borne diseases as the country witnessed a severe outbreak of dengue last year," he added.
Taposh also inspected the post-renovation work of Bangabandhu Fountain at Gulistan Junction, inaugurated the existing pipe line and open drain cleaning program at Ward No. 20 and Ward No. 13 and inspected the ongoing waste removal program at Shyampur Canal.
Intense heat causes surge in snake bites
The scorching heatwave not only leaves humans gasping for relief but also prompts a surge in snake bites, creating a pressing concern for both people and animals alike.
Volunteers report a notable increase in daily calls for snakebite treatment this year compared to the previous year, attributing the trend to the relentless heat.
According to Snake Rescue Team Bangladesh, a voluntary organisation dedicated to snake-related issues, the current intense heat poses a heightened risk of encountering snakes across the country. The organization urges caution during this period.
Md Zubaidur Rahman, vice president of the organisation, told UNB that they have been tirelessly working for years to raise awareness about snake bites and undertake snake rescue operations.
The organisation has been inundated with calls from families of snakebite victims and requests to rescue snakes from various parts of the country. "This year, we're receiving four to five emergency calls daily, a significant increase from last year," Zubaidur said.
He emphasised that only those trained and certified under the Forest Department can engage in wildlife rescue operations.
Dr M Monirul H Khan, Professor in the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University, explained to UNB that snakes, being cold-blooded creatures, are more active in summer and less so in winter.
"In Bangladesh, snakes remain active throughout the year, except for a few weeks in December-January," he added.
Research conducted in the US revealed that snakebite rates increase by six percent with every 0.8 degrees Fahrenheit rise in temperature. "External temperature fluctuations directly impact the body temperature and behavior of snakes," the study noted.
People suffer as load shedding hits 1,500 MW
Though power generation set a new record, there is no sign of decrease in power outages across the country.
Rather, the extent of load shedding increased by almost 50 percent compared with the previous day.
The records at the National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) in the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) show that the country experienced about 1,500 MW of load shedding on Wednesday while it was 1049 M on Tuesday.
The NLDC data also show that Wednesday started with 1,468 MW at 1 am. However, the level of power shortage decreased in the day time and it came down to 542 MW in the morning at 7 am.
But again the extent of load shedding took negative turn and increased to 821 MW at 3 pm on Wednesday.
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Both the data of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and PGCB show that the country's evening peak generation was recorded at 14,473 at 5 pm against demand for 15,200 MW leaving a shortage of 694 MW.
On the other hand, the demand forecast for Wednesday evening was 16,800 MW and supply forecast was 16,530 MW.
According to official sources, maximum burden of the load shedding was diverted to rural areas, as part of a policy to avert power outages in capital Dhaka and other large cities.
Reports from different areas said the extent of load shedding is aggravating the plight of the rural people amid the sweltering heat this summer.
Meanwhile, state-owned Petrobangla’s official data shows that the country’s gas production was 3,056 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) against a demand for 3,760 MW.
Gas supply situation slightly improves, load shedding continues
It shows that a good number of power plants, specifically those using gas as their primary fuel, remained off generation due to gas shortage.
The power plants received a supply of 1330 MMCFD gas against their demand for 2316.9 MMCFD, the data shows.
4 arrested with Tk 60 crore worth of fake snake venom: RAB
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-10) have arrested four people with Tk 60 crore worth of fake cobra snake venom, foreign firearms, and various tools used for fraud.
They were arrested during a raid in Dhaka’s Hatirjhil area on Tuesday night.
The arrestees are Enamul Haque (54), Safiqul Islam (54), Ershad Ali (36) and Syed Mohammad Ibrahim Khalilullah (34).
During the raid, a private car was seized, along with a foreign pistol, a magazine, 6 rounds of ammunition, a toy pistol, 10 kg of fake snake venom, an album, 2 CDs Tk 36,235 in cash and 360 Indian rupees.
Global Immunization Efforts: At least 154 million lives saved over past 50 years
RAB claimed that the gang was involved with a international smuggler.
MJ Sohel, Assistant Director (Media) of RAB-4, said on Wednesday afternoon that the fraudsters used a special type of glass container to store the fake snake venom. The labels on these containers have the names and codes of different countries. They collected the venom from different parts of the country and then smuggled it into Bangladesh from different foreign countries.
They were cheating people and extorting millions of taka by selling it to various domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies as well as smuggling it to neighbouring countries through fraud and smuggling.
Various domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies buy this snake venom for millions of taka. Because it costs many times more to legally bring this snake venom from outside the country. Buyers easily fall into the trap of fraudsters due to the low price, added the RAB official.
RAB-10 initially confirmed through forensic experts at RAB headquarters that the snake venom kept in glass bottles is fake and does not have any characteristics of snake venom.
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During interrogation, the arrestees told RAB that they collected the fake snake venom from different parts of the country. They then sold it fraudulently to people at Hatirjheel and other parts of the capital. In this way, the gang was embezzling money from various people. They have been handed over to the concerned police station for regular cases, the RAB official also said.
Lynching of 2 youths: 4 platoons BGB deployed in two Faridpur upazilas
Four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to maintain law and order in Faridpur sadar and Madhukhali upazilas amid tension over lynching of two youths following a fire in a temple in Dumain union.
The authorities deployed four platoons of BGB at Baliakandi and Baghate Bazar under Faridpur Sadar and Madhukhali upazilas around 9 am, said Shariful Islam, public relations officer of the BGB.
Along with the BGB, village police are stationed to avoid further trouble, he said, adding that the situation in the area is normal now.
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On Thursday afternoon, a fire broke out in the Barwari temple in Hindu-dominated Panchpalli village in Dumain union of Madhukhali upazila.
Hindu residents became angry over the incident and they locked seven construction workers on suspicion of their involvement in the desecration of the idols.
The workers were constructing a wash block at Panchapalli Government Primary School, 20 yards off the temple.
On information, Madhukhali police and upazila administration officials rushed to the spot but the mob also confined them.
Later with the help of Faridpur District Sadar and Rajbari District Police, the besieged people were rescued after a few hours.
Seven workers were rescued with injuries and taken to Madhukhali Upazila Health Complex and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur. Two of the injured succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
The deceased were identified as Ashraful, 21, and his younger brother Ashadul, 15, sons of Shahjahan Khan of Ghoperghat village under Naowarpara union of the upazila. They were both construction workers.
The death of the youths sparked huge protests in the area, leading to a clash with police on Tuesday.
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Some members of the law enforcing agencies and villagers were injured in the clash that lasted for around three hours on Dhaka-Khulna highway but the exact number of the injured could not be ascertained.
Global Immunization Efforts: At least 154 million lives saved over past 50 years
A major landmark study by The Lancet reveals that global immunization efforts have saved an estimated 154 million lives – or the equivalent of 6 lives every minute of every year – over the past 50 years. The vast majority of lives saved – 101 million – were those of infants.
The study, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), shows that immunization is the single greatest contribution of any health intervention to ensuring babies not only see their first birthdays but continue leading healthy lives into adulthood.
Of the vaccines included in the study, the measles vaccination had the most significant impact on reducing infant mortality, accounting for 60% of the lives saved due to immunization.
This vaccine will likely remain the top contributor to preventing deaths in the future, according to WHO.
Over the past 50 years, vaccination against 14 diseases (diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, measles, meningitis A, pertussis, invasive pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis, and yellow fever) has directly contributed to reducing infant deaths by 40% globally, and by more than 50% in the African Region.
"Vaccines are among the most powerful inventions in history, making once-feared diseases preventable,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
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“Thanks to vaccines, smallpox has been eradicated, polio is on the brink and with the more recent development of vaccines against diseases like malaria and cervical cancer, we are pushing back the frontiers of disease. With continued research, investment and collaboration, we can save millions more lives today and in the next 50 years.”
The study found that for each life saved through immunization, an average of 66 years of full health were gained – with a total of 10.2 billion full health years gained over the five decades.
As the result of vaccination against polio, more than 20 million people are able to walk today who would otherwise have been paralysed, and the world is on the verge of eradicating polio, once and for all.
These gains in childhood survival highlight the importance of protecting immunization progress in every country of the world and accelerating efforts to reach the 67 million children who missed out on one or more vaccines during the pandemic years.
Monumental efforts to increase access to vaccination over five decades
Released ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to take place in May 2024, the study is the most comprehensive analysis of the programme’s global and regional health impact over the past five decades.
Founded in 1974 by the World Health Assembly, EPI's original goal was to vaccinate all children against diphtheria, measles, pertussis, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis, as well as smallpox, the only human disease ever eradicated.
Today, the programme, now referred to as the Essential Programme on Immunization, includes universal recommendations to vaccinate against 13 diseases, and context-specific recommendations for another 17 diseases, extending the reach of immunization beyond children, to adolescents and adults.
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The study highlights that fewer than 5% of infants globally had access to routine immunization when EPI was launched.
Today, 84% of infants are protected with three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) – the global marker for immunization coverage.
Nearly 94 million of the estimated 154 million lives saved since 1974, were a result of protection by measles vaccines.
Yet, there were still 33 million children who missed a measles vaccine dose in 2022: nearly 22 million missed their first dose and an additional 11 million missed their second dose.
Coverage of 95% or greater with 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine is needed to protect communities from outbreaks. Currently, the global coverage rate of the first dose of measles vaccine is 83% and the second dose is 74%, contributing to a very high number of outbreaks across the world.
To increase immunization coverage, UNICEF, as one of the largest buyers of vaccines in the world, procures more than 2 billion doses every year on behalf of countries and partners for reaching almost half of the world’s children.
It also works to distribute vaccines to the last mile, ensuring that even remote and underserved communities have access to immunization services.
“Thanks to vaccinations, more children now survive and thrive past their fifth birthday than at any other point in history,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“This massive achievement is a credit to the collective efforts of governments, partners, scientists, healthcare workers, civil society, volunteers and parents themselves, all pulling in the same direction of keeping children safe from deadly diseases. We must build on the momentum and ensure that every child, everywhere, has access to life-saving immunizations.”
In 2000, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which includes WHO, UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) as core founding members, was created to expand the impact of EPI and help the poorest countries in the world increase coverage, benefit from new, life-saving vaccines and expand the breadth of protection against an increasing number of vaccine-preventable diseases.
This intensified effort in the most vulnerable parts of the world has helped to save more lives and further promote vaccine equity.
UNICEF urges parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated, safe
Today, Gavi has helped protect a whole generation of children and now provides vaccines against 20 infectious diseases, including the HPV vaccine and vaccines for outbreaks of measles, cholera, yellow fever, Ebola and meningitis.
“Gavi was established to build on the partnership and progress made possible by EPI, intensifying focus on protecting the most vulnerable around the world,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
“In a little over two decades we have seen incredible progress – protecting more than a billion children, helping halve childhood mortality in these countries, and providing billions in economic benefits. Vaccines are truly the best investment we can make in ensuring everyone, no matter where they are born, has an equal right to a healthy future: we must ensure these efforts are fully funded to protect the progress made and help countries address current challenges of their immunization programmes.”
Immunization programmes have become the bedrock of primary health services in communities and countries due to their far reach and wide coverage.
They provide not only an opportunity for vaccination but also enable other life-saving care to be provided, including nutritional support, maternal tetanus prevention, illness screenings and bed net distribution to protect families from diseases like malaria.
Since the study only covers the health impact of vaccination against 14 diseases, the number of lives saved due to vaccination is a conservative estimate and not a full account of the life-saving impact of vaccines.
Societal, economic or educational impacts to health and well-being over the 50 years have also contributed to further reductions in mortality. Today, there are vaccines to protect against more than 30 life-threatening diseases.
While the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer in adults, was not included in the study, it is expected to prevent a high number of future deaths as countries work towards increasing immunization targets aimed at eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
New vaccine introductions, such as those for malaria, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and meningitis, as well as cholera and Ebola vaccines used during outbreaks, will further save lives in the next 50 years.
Saving millions more is “Humanly Possible”
Global immunization programmes have shown what is humanly possible when many stakeholders, including heads of state, regional and global health agencies, scientists, charities, aid agencies, businesses, and communities work together.
Today, WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and BMGF are unveiling “Humanly Possible”, a joint campaign, marking the annual World Immunization Week, 24-30 April 2024.
The worldwide communication campaign calls on world leaders to advocate, support and fund vaccines and the immunization programmes that deliver these lifesaving products – reaffirming their commitment to public health, while celebrating one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
The next 50 years of EPI will require not only reaching the children missing out on vaccines, but protecting grandparents from influenza, mothers from tetanus, adolescents from HPV and everyone from TB, and many other infectious diseases.
“It's inspiring to see what vaccines have made possible over the last 50 years, thanks to the tireless efforts of governments, global partners and health workers to make them more accessible to more people,” said Dr Chris Elias, president of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“We cannot let this incredible progress falter. By continuing to invest in immunization, we can ensure that every child – and every person – has the chance to live a healthy and productive life.”
3-day expo on medical equipment, health tourism, and food to begin May 9
A 3-day exhibition on medical equipment, health tourism, food and agriculture sector is going to take place in the city from May 9.
CEMS Bangladesh, in association with CEMS Global USA, is organising the expo at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Dhaka.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder will inaugurate the expo on May 9.
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Addressing a press conference at National Press Club on Thursday Meherun N. Islam, President and Group Managing Director of CEMS-Global USA and Asia Pacific, said the healthcare exhibitions will feature new medical and surgical equipments, rescue facilities, hospital supplies and analytical instruments from across 112 companies representing over 15 countries.
The countries include Bangladesh, India, China, Singapore, Germany, Turkiye, Thailand, South Korea and more.
The food and agro expo will show up food, beverage, agriculture, horticulture, poultry, livestock, fishing and aquaculture related packaging and processing machinery and equipment from more than 15 countries presenting more than 100 companies.
The countries in the exhibitions include India, China, Germany, Turkiye, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Srilanka and more.
The participants in Food and Agro Expo will display packaging equipment and packaging materials, food processing equipment, processed food, organic agriculture products, agricultural machinery and equipment related to food and agriculture attracting visitors such associations, food technologists, clubs and resorts.
Meherin said manufacturers and suppliers will have a fantastic opportunity to highlight their goods and services.
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“They will have the chance to showcase their advanced technology in the health tourism industry, as well as innovative and advanced technologies, products, and services in the food, agriculture, and plastic industries," she added.
Besides, Tanveer Qamrul Islam, Executive Director of CEMS Global, Mahmud Riyad Hassan, DGM – Marketing & Sales of CEMS Bangladesh and Asraful Islam, AGM – Business Development and Strategic Planning were also present at the media briefing.