Winter health risks for children and the elderly: what to do
Colds, asthma flare-ups and dry, itchy skin rise as winter sets in. Who is most at risk, the symptoms to watch for and simple steps to stay well.
English edition
Health Desk
818 reports translated from the Bengali original, most recent first. বাংলা সংস্করণ
Measles: two more children die, toll since March 1,251
Two more children died with measles symptoms in Bangladesh in 24 hours, the health directorate said, taking the toll since 15 March to 1,251 children.
Journalist threatened over report on abuse of bodies
Alap reporter Dipu Sikder filed a GD after death threats over his report on the sexual abuse of women's bodies in a Dhaka morgue; CRAB wants a probe.
Necrophilia at Suhrawardy hospital morgue, Alap finds
An Alap investigation found evidence that women's bodies were sexually abused in the Suhrawardy hospital morgue in Dhaka. A morgue assistant has been removed.
Breast cancer awareness seminar and screening held in Dhaka
A breast cancer awareness seminar and screening for staff of the Department of Women Affairs was held in Dhaka, urging early detection of the disease.
Dengue: 9 more deaths, 1,982 hospitalised in 24 hours
Nine more people died of dengue in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning, taking this year's toll to 409, with 164 deaths in October alone, the DGHS said.
IEDCR director assaulted in his office; probe ordered
Members of the pro-BNP doctors body DAB are accused of beating IEDCR director Professor Kazi Ahmed Zaki in his office; the ministry formed a probe panel.
Experts urge integrated rehabilitation for stroke patients
Experts at a BMU workshop called for integrated rehabilitation to help people with stroke, spinal cord and brain injuries regain independence in daily life.
Ambulance strike at Dhaka Medical leaves families stranded
A day-long strike by private ambulance owners over parking at Dhaka Medical College Hospital left families carrying their dead home in pickups and rickshaws.
Smartphones and children: how screens affect sleep and focus
What research says, and does not say, about how smartphones affect children’s sleep, attention and friendships, and what parents can do to help.
Measles: five deaths with symptoms in a day, 1,356 new cases
Five people died with measles symptoms in 24 hours and 1,356 more fell ill, the health directorate says. Deaths since 15 March now stand at 1,227.
Dengue deaths reach 400 this year as 11 die in a single day
Eleven dengue deaths in 24 hours, the highest single-day toll this year, take Bangladesh's total to 400, with 2,071 more patients admitted to hospital.
Army brigadier named new director of Rajshahi hospital
Brigadier General Md Saidur Rahman, until now director of Kurmitola General Hospital, has been appointed director of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
Food minister's APS removed over unapproved warehouse visit
Abdul Awal, assistant private secretary to Food Minister Afroza Khanam, was relieved of duty for inspecting a food warehouse in Tangail without permission.
Measles symptoms kill 6 more in Bangladesh, 1,466 infected
Six more people died with measles symptoms in 24 hours and 1,466 were infected, the health directorate said, as child deaths since 15 March reached 1,233.
Dengue kills 5 more in Bangladesh, 2,218 in hospital
Five more people died of dengue in the 24 hours to 8am Monday, taking this year's toll to 389, while 2,218 new patients were admitted to hospitals.
Papaya: who should be careful before eating it
Papaya is rich in vitamins and fibre, but raw papaya in pregnancy, latex allergy, blood thinners and diarrhoea call for care. Here is what to know.
Bangladesh seeks Japanese help to set up a vaccine factory
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's delegation discussed building a vaccine plant in Bangladesh at a dinner with senior officials of Japan's Nippon Foundation.
Tk 1,204cr project for safe water and sanitation in Barind
The government plans a Tk 1,203.73 crore project to expand safe water and sanitation in 123 upazilas of 16 Barind districts; it goes to Ecnec's next meeting.
Food inflation leaves poor families on potatoes and papaya
Wages are up 7.9 percent while inflation runs at 8.34 percent, and low-income families in Dhaka are dropping fish and meat for potatoes, papaya and lentils.
Measles: 5 more deaths with symptoms, 1,356 new cases
Five more people died with measles symptoms in the past 24 hours and 1,356 new cases were recorded, the health directorate said. Deaths since 15 March: 1,227.
Dengue kills 7 more in Bangladesh, 2,249 hospitalised
Seven more people died of dengue in the 24 hours to Sunday and 2,249 were admitted to hospital, the health directorate said. This year's toll is now 384.
Jamalganj land officer in hospital after post blaming UNO
Sunamganj official Arifur Rahman posted that the Jamalganj UNO would be responsible for his death, then that he was resigning. He was taken to hospital.
Dengue in children: follow-up care after hospital discharge
After dengue, a child home from hospital needs follow-up visits, blood tests, rest and good food. What parents should watch for, and when to see a doctor.
Dengue kills six more, 1,898 hospitalised in a day
Six more people died of dengue in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to Saturday and 1,898 were admitted to hospital, taking this year's death toll to 376.
Measles and dengue kill 10 in 24 hours in Bangladesh
Seven people died with measles symptoms and three of dengue in the 24 hours to Friday, the DGHS said, as 2,434 new patients with the two diseases were admitted.
Dengue kills 4 more, 1,512 hospitalised in 24 hours
Four more people died of dengue in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, bringing October's toll to 123 and the year's to 368, the DGHS said.
Local government minister Moyeen Khan admitted to hospital
Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP standing committee member and local government minister, was admitted to the CCU of Evercare Hospital after sudden chest pain.
Food businesses must register for safety licence from 1 Nov
Bangladesh Food Safety Authority makes registration or a licence compulsory for all food businesses, from street stalls to importers, from 1 November.
Arthritis myths: four common misconceptions about joint pain
Arthritis is common, exercise helps rather than harms, diet matters and spices are no cure. Four widely held myths about joint pain and the facts behind them.
Hydrose in jalebi can raise liver cancer risk, doctor says
Textile dyes, hydrose and other chemicals in jalebi and biryani can damage DNA and raise the risk of liver and food pipe cancer, a medicine specialist says.
Measles: one more death with symptoms, 1,010 new cases
One more person died with measles symptoms in a day, in Sylhet division, taking deaths since 15 March to 1,205. Another 1,010 cases were logged.
Tk 1 lakh grant for poor patients with seven illnesses
The government will give a one-off Tk 1 lakh to 65,000 poor patients with cancer, kidney disease and five other illnesses. Who qualifies and how to apply.
Dengue kills seven more, 1,373 hospitalised in 24 hours
Seven people died of dengue in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to Wednesday, all in Dhaka South, and 1,373 were admitted to hospital, the health directorate said.
AI reads cancer survival odds from a selfie, study finds
Mass General Brigham researchers trained an AI tool on 40 million faces to estimate a cancer patient’s biological age and survival odds from one photo.
Maldives tops food waste list as world bins 132 kg a head
Nearly one in five plates served worldwide is thrown away while 645 million went hungry in 2025. The Maldives wastes about 260 kg of food per person each year.
Dengue kills 5 more as measles symptoms claim 3 children
Five more people died of dengue and three children died with measles symptoms in the 24 hours to 8am Tuesday, the Directorate General of Health Services said.
Is lemon water good for the kidneys?
Lemon water may help kidneys by lowering the risk of some kidney stones, thanks to its citrate, but drinking enough water matters most, a doctor says.
Health negligence will not be tolerated, minister warns
Health minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain warned negligent health staff will lose their jobs and promised radiotherapy machines for cancer hospitals.
Teenage girl dies of diphtheria in Sylhet, raising alarm
A 16-year-old girl died of diphtheria at Sylhet's Osmani Medical College Hospital after no intensive care bed was found, her father says, raising fears locally.
Measles kills five more in Bangladesh, toll reaches 1,201
Five more people died of measles or its symptoms in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to Monday morning, taking the toll since 15 March to 1,201.
Dengue kills four more in Bangladesh, death toll reaches 352
Four more people died of dengue in Bangladesh in the 24 hours to Monday and 1,851 were admitted to hospital, taking this year's death toll to 352.
Health ministry seeks progress on grade 11-20 recruitment
The health ministry has asked civil surgeons for a report on filling vacant grade 11 to 20 posts, part of a plan to recruit 100,000 health workers in phases.
Dengue: six more deaths, 2,088 hospitalised in 24 hours
Six more people died of dengue in the 24 hours to Sunday and 2,088 were admitted to hospital, taking this year's death toll to 348, the health directorate said.
Measles: seven more deaths, 1,319 new cases in 24 hours
Seven more people died with measles or its symptoms in Bangladesh in 24 hours and 1,319 new cases were found, taking deaths since 15 March to 1,196.
Cox's Bazar resort fire: Dhaka University student among dead
Dhaka University student Md Nafis Tehami and several members of his family were killed in a fire at a resort in Inani, Cox's Bazar, on Saturday morning.
Dengue kills 7 more in Bangladesh, 1,872 hospitalised
Seven more people died of dengue in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours, and 1,872 new patients were admitted to hospital, the health directorate said.
PM gives Kuwait-Bangladesh hospital 7 days to clean up
Tarique Rahman voiced displeasure at management and cleanliness at Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital on a surprise dengue tour of Dhaka.
Doctor suspended after PM finds him smoking in his room
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ordered action after finding a doctor smoking in an untidy room at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Agargaon.
PM gives 14 days to clean up Azimpur government quarters
The prime minister voiced strong displeasure at the filth in Dhaka's Azimpur government staff quarters during a surprise visit and set a two-week deadline.
Lung cancer without smoking: who is at risk?
Lung cancer can strike people who have never smoked. Family history, gene mutations and toxic exposure raise the risk, and early symptoms are often absent.
Measles: three more die with symptoms in 24 hours
Three more people died with measles symptoms in the 24 hours to 8am Saturday, health officials said. Another 85 cases were confirmed and 950 showed symptoms.
Measles kills UP chairman in Chougachha, Jessore
Obaidul Islam Sabuj, 40, chairman of Pashapol union parishad in Chougachha, Jessore, died of measles on Saturday at a private hospital in Jessore.
Dengue kills four more, 1,181 admitted to hospital in a day
Four more people died of dengue in the 24 hours to 8am Friday, taking this year's toll to 335, and 1,181 new patients were admitted to hospitals, the DGHS said.
Two young people killed in Chaugachha road crash
A man of 20 and a woman of 18 died after their motorcycle collided head-on with a pickup van on the Chaugachha-Jashore road on Thursday afternoon.
Ten more dengue deaths, nearly 2,000 admitted to hospital
Dengue killed ten more people in the 24 hours to Thursday morning and 1,943 were admitted to hospital, taking this year's death toll to 331.
Four more children die with measles symptoms, 1,392 cases
Four children died with measles symptoms in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, while 1,306 suspected and 86 confirmed new cases were recorded across Bangladesh.
Why a fever may not come down
A fever lasting over three to five days despite paracetamol may mean dengue, flu, typhoid, malaria or a urinary infection. Home care, and when to seek help.
Who is at risk of breast cancer
About 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide in 2024. Who is most at risk, what lowers the risk, how it is found and what to do then.
Prime minister inspects mobile food-testing laboratory
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman looked inside a mobile food-testing van at the Secretariat on Wednesday; 72 such vans are being bought to cover all 64 districts.