United News of Bangladesh

Effective implementation of the ‘One Health’ approach requires coordinated commitment at the highest level among the ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Fisheries and Livestock, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said on Wednesday. “One Health is not just a subject for speeches. It demands real commitment, policy-level decisions and a collective mindset to work together. The era of fragmented efforts is over; now we need a ‘whole-of-government’ and ‘whole-of-nation’ approach,” she said while chairing a seminar titled ‘One Health Activities: Opportunities, Challenges and Future Strategies’, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at a city hotel. The adviser said human health, animal health and the environment are deeply interconnected, and only through their integration can One Health be implemented in its true sense. She noted that while humans are victims of diseases, they are often also responsible for their spread. Unsafe food, environmental pollution, excessive use of antibiotics and unplanned urbanisation are increasing health risks, which must be addressed by prioritising preventive and primary healthcare. Farida Akhter said climate change, genetic diseases, food security and public health issues are closely linked. In this context, a decision has been taken to implement the proposed One Health initiative through a single DPP involving all three ministries, with three project directors to ensure active participation from each sector. Expressing optimism, she said Bangladesh would successfully implement the One Health initiative by considering human health, livestock, fisheries and the environment together, setting an effective example for others. Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said development planning must place environment, biodiversity and public health at its core, stressing the need for integrated and forward-looking decisions. She said while roads or infrastructure can be built, natural assets such as the Sundarbans or rivers cannot be recreated once destroyed. Climate change, pandemics and environmental crises repeatedly remind us that every element of nature is deeply interconnected, and humans are not owners of nature but an inseparable part of it. The environment adviser also pointed out that procedural complexities, weak inter-ministerial coordination and delays in decision-making are major obstacles to implementing One Health activities. To overcome these challenges, she stressed the need for effective advisory committees at national and district levels, along with clearly defined focal points in each ministry. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Health and Family Welfare Prof Dr Md Sayedur Rahman said human health must remain at the centre of the One Health concept. He said the importance of fish, livestock and environmental health ultimately lies in their impact on human health, food security and livelihoods, as food contamination, unsafe animal feed and environmental changes eventually affect people. Describing the proposed One Health project as an ‘eye-opening’ initiative for Bangladesh, the special assistant said its goal is to build the capacity to detect health risks early and respond in a timely manner by viewing humans, animals and nature through a single lens.

More than 500 underprivileged and needy people received free medical consultation and healthcare services at a daylong medical camp organised by Emadia Foundation in Syedpur of Nilphamari district on Sunday. The camp was held at Hatikhana Khanqah-e-Emadia in Syedpur, where patients were provided with free diagnosis, specialist consultation and primary treatment from morning to afternoon. Dhaka Division Health Director Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam inaugurated the programme, while Syed Shah Mujibul Haque Emadi Al Azhari presided over the event. Among the special guests were Brigadier General Md Nazmul Haque, Rangpur Division Health Director Dr Gausul Azim Chowdhury, Nilphamari Civil Surgeon Dr Md Abdur Razzak, and Member Secretary of National Health Alliance Dr Md Abdul Ahad.

Bangladesh on Sunday witnessed a sudden surge in dengue cases, with five more deaths and 387 new hospitalisations recorded across the country in the last 24 hours. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest fatalities bring this year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease to 409. Of the newly reported deaths, two occurred in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), two in Barishal Division, and one in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). During the same period, 387 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals, bringing the total number of cases reported this year to 100,477. Currently, 637 dengue patients are receiving treatment at hospitals in Dhaka, while 2,189 patients are hospitalised nationwide. DGHS data also shows that 62.5 percent of dengue patients this year are male, while 37.5 percent are female. Among the fatalities, 52.3 percent were men and 47.7 percent were women. Last year, the country recorded 575 dengue-related deaths, along with 101,214 cases and 100,040 recoveries during the same period.

Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhter on Saturday said that an extensive awareness program will be launched in January to reduce the use of antibiotics and increase public consciousness regarding its bad effects, including antimicrobial resistance. The Advisor stated that various initiatives are planned to prevent unnecessary antibiotic usage and build awareness among the public, which will play an effective role in protecting public health. Adviser Farida made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Veterinary Vaccine Conference 2025’ held this morning at the Livestock Research Institute (LRI) in Mohakhali, Dhaka. Regarding the role of vaccines in health security, the Fisheries and Livestock Advisor emphasized the critical importance of veterinary vaccines for animal health, public health, food security, and overall economic development. She commended the ‘Veterinary Vaccine Conference’ as a timely and significant initiative that enables the vital exchange of knowledge and experience. Farida warned that neglecting disease prevention leads to the unnecessary use of antibiotics, thereby increasing the risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). This risk is escalating not only among humans but also in animals. She stressed the need to strengthen vaccination programs to reduce the requirement for antibiotics and underscored the necessity of effective measures to stop the incorrect application of antibiotics. “It is not enough just to rear livestock; animals, like humans, require care, treatment, and disease prevention,” he added. "The health of the animals that humans consume as food significantly depends on human health,” he opined. Focus on self-sufficiency in vaccine production while immunization programs are ongoing to control infectious diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease, PPR, and Anthrax, the Advisor highlighted the importance of building the country's own capacity for vaccine production.   The conference featured a keynote address by Professor Dr. Robyn Alders of the Australian National University, who presented a paper titled ‘Preventing pandemics, improving food security: sustainable control of vaccine preventable animal disease in resource-limited settings.’ The opening session was chaired by Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services. Dr. Md. Mostofa Kamal, Director of LRI, delivered the welcome speech and provided an overview of the context at the beginning of the conference. Dr. Shakila Faruk spoke as a special guest. The event was attended by experts, researchers, and policymakers from the livestock sector.

The DORP Youth Forum has called for the swift passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law formulated by the Ministry of Health, emphasizing that this amendment is essential to protect public health. They stated that urgent action is needed to save the next generation from the devastating grip of tobacco. During a human chain organized by the DORP Youth Forum in Mirpur-10, Dhaka, the youth participants reiterated their demand for the immediate adoption of the amendment. Addressing the Chief Adviser, the youth advocates urged that the draft amendment should be given top priority and approved without further delay. Citing data from the Tobacco Atlas 2025, they noted that tobacco-related diseases claim approximately 130,000 lives annually in Bangladesh—an average of 357 deaths per day—while millions more suffer from various illnesses. The youth advocates also observed that, despite some recent initiatives by the government, Bangladesh still has the highest rate of tobacco use in South Asia. Adib, a student of Dhaka University, said that Bangladesh was the first country to sign the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). However, the latest WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic shows that Bangladesh has yet to achieve best-practice standards in ensuring smoke-free environments and banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. He emphasized that the proposed amendment by the Ministry of Health would close existing loopholes in the current law, align national legislation with FCTC recommendations, and bring Bangladesh closer to global best practices in tobacco control. Saikat, a student of Jahangirnagar University, stated that tobacco companies primarily target young people, knowing that early addiction will secure long-term consumers. He explained that the industry constantly devises new tactics—after cigarettes and e-cigarettes, they are now aggressively pushing nicotine pouches through misleading messages and enticing promotions. During the human chain, youth advocates presented six key recommendations for strengthening the existing law. These include: eliminating designated smoking areas in all public places and transport; banning the display of tobacco products at points of sale; prohibiting corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by tobacco companies; taking strong measures to protect children and youth from e-cigarettes; banning the sale of loose or single-stick tobacco products; and expanding graphic health warnings from 50 percent to 90 percent of packaging. Following the human chain, youth participants attended a workshop organized by DORP at UCEP Bangladesh.

Two more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Monday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 398 this year. The new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the same period, 455 new patients were admitted to hospitals, raising the total number of dengue cases this year to 98,284. Currently, 574 patients are receiving treatment at hospitals in Dhaka, while 1,654 remain admitted across the country. The DGHS report also noted that 62.4% of this year’s dengue patients were male and 37.6% were female. Among the deceased, 52.3% were men and 47.7% were women. Last year, dengue claimed 575 lives, with 101,214 cases and 100,040 recoveries recorded during the same period.

Bangladesh reported no deaths from dengue in the 24 hours till Saturday morning. However, 572 new dengue cases were recorded during this period, bringing the total number of cases this year to 93,766. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the new cases were reported as follows: 90 in Barishal Division (out of CC), 132 in Chattogram Division (out of CC), 116 in Dhaka Division (out of CC), 132 in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), 67 in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), 32 in Mymensingh Division (out of CC), and 3 in Sylhet Division (out of CC). The number of deaths remained at 377, as no new fatalities were reported during this period, the DGHS added. Currently, 2,167 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. The DGHS data also shows that 62.3% of this year’s dengue patients are male, while 37.7% are female. Among those who died, 52% were men and 48% were women. Last year, the country recorded 575 dengue deaths, along with 101,214 cases and 100,040 recoveries during the same period.

The dengue situation in Bangladesh continues to deteriorate, with seven more deaths and 567 new hospitalisations recorded across the country in the 24 hours till Thursday morning. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the latest fatalities bring this year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease to 377. Of the newly reported deaths, three occurred in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), two in Mymensingh Division, and one each in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Chattogram Division. During the same period, 567 new dengue patients were hospitalised, raising the total number of cases this year to 92,784. At present, 637 patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Dhaka, while 2,189 are admitted across the country. The DGHS data also shows that 62.3% of this year’s dengue patients are male, while 37.7% are female. Among those who died, 52% were men and 48% were women. Last year, the country recorded 575 dengue deaths, along with 101,214 cases and 100,040 recoveries during the same period.

Two more dengue-related deaths were reported in the 24 hours till Monday morning, raising this year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 366, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). In the same period, 705 new dengue patients were admitted to hospitals, bringing the total number of cases this year to 90,969. The latest fatalities were recorded in Dhaka and Sylhet divisions (outside city corporation areas). DGHS data shows that of all dengue deaths this year, 51.9% were men and 48.1% were women. At present, 2,345 patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed 575 lives nationwide.

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar on Sunday said the government has approved a plan to transform Pabna Mental Hospital into a modern, international-standard psychiatric institute as part of its priority to strengthen the country’s mental healthcare system. He made the remarks while speaking at the award-giving and reception ceremony of the 12th International Conference on Psychiatry, organised by the Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists (BAP) at a hotel in the capital, according to a PID handout. The adviser said the National Institute of Mental Health in Dhaka has long been facing constraints in expanding education, research and services due to a shortage of space. Utilising Pabna’s infrastructure and improved connectivity it is possible to develop a new world-class institution, he added. Bidhan Ranjan said  recognising promising researchers in psychiatry will encourage them to contribute more, ultimately benefiting the sector and the country. The adviser also called on participants to maintain professionalism and continue practising psychiatry with unity.