Economy
Dhaka Airport Initiates Temperature Screening Amid Global Mpox Alert
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) has commenced temperature screening for incoming air travelers following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global public health alert concerning Mpox, previously known as monkeypox.
Group Captain Kamrul Islam, Executive Director of HSIA, stated that passengers are being screened through a ‘Thermal scanner archway.’ Those exhibiting symptoms will be referred to Kurmitola General Hospital, Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), or Kuwait Bangladesh Maitree Hospital for further assessment.
The airport authorities held a meeting yesterday to address WHO’s declaration of a global health emergency due to the rising cases of Mpox. Representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), HSIA health department, and various airlines attended the meeting.
During the meeting, stakeholders were urged to stay vigilant and take appropriate measures to manage passengers showing symptoms of Mpox. The CDC has implemented several precautionary steps, such as advising against close contact with individuals suspected or confirmed to have Mpox, wearing medical masks, avoiding skin-to-skin contact, and maintaining hand hygiene.
Airlines were instructed to notify the health department immediately if any passenger displays symptoms. Additionally, arriving passengers are advised to contact the health authorities by calling 10655 if they develop symptoms within 21 days of arrival.
The meeting was chaired by Member Operations Air Commodore AFM Atikuzzaman, with the presence of HSIA Executive Director Group Captain M Kamrul Islam, CDC-DGHS Director Sheikh Daoud Adnan, IHR Senior Adviser Dr. Nasir Ahmed Khan, WHO National Professional Officer Dr. ASM Alamgir, AOC Chairman Dilara Ahmed, and airline representatives, among others.
WHO has identified the common symptoms of Mpox as skin rashes or mucosal lesions lasting 2-4 weeks, often accompanied by fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The resurgence of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its spread across multiple African nations has been classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005).
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
