Dhaka seeks bilateral talks to extend Saudi visa validity

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Hoque on Tuesday said Bangladesh is seeking a bilateral solution with Saudi Arabia to extend the visas of stranded expatriate workers so they can return to their workplaces, acknowledging that the ongoing regional crisis is making negotiations difficult.

“Efforts are underway to resolve the issue through bilateral discussions, as in the past, so that workers whose visas are nearing expiry can get extensions andincluding rural areas previously less affected by the disease.
Govt to assess dengue vaccine options

The government will consult researchers and medical experts before deciding whether Bangladesh should conduct clinical trials of dengue vaccines or assess existing research, State Minister for Health MA Muhit said.
Speaking to reporters after a seminar at Bangla Academy, Muhit said any decision on vaccine approval must be based on scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.

The government plans to consult specialists in clinical trials and virology to determine whether local trials are necessary or whether existing international findings can be evaluated through meta-analysis. He noted that several dengue vaccine candidates were at different stages of development internationally and that India had recently approved a vaccine.

Read More

PM orders loudspeaker alerts as dengue surges

Delayed treatment a major concern

Muhit said around 60% of dengue patients who died had reached hospital more than three days after their symptoms began. 

He urged people with fever to seek prompt medical attention rather than rely on over-the-counter medicines or unqualified practitioners.

The government plans to establish fever clinics at different locations across Dhaka through the two city corporations to facilitate early diagnosis. 

Around 2,000 doctors nationwide also received refresher training in dengue management last month, he said.
The government is additionally considering trials of Japanese technology to control mosquito populations, alongside public awareness campaigns and conventional larval-control measures.

However, experts have warned that the outbreak could worsen further in late October and November unless effective measures are implemented urgently.

Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist and professor of zoology at Jahangirnagar University, warned that the current trend could become catastrophic without immediate intervention.

He said dengue, once concentrated mainly in Dhaka and other major cities, had increasingly spread to rural districts and upazilas, leaving communities across the country at risk.