Bangladesh has been experiencing a surge in dengue cases and deaths over recent years and, with the monsoon season in full swing, health experts warn that August could bring an even more severe outbreak if urgent action is not taken.
The dengue season typically peaks in the months of August, September and October.
Zoom In:
- In Bangladesh, dengue was first recorded as "Dacca fever" in 1964. However, the first outbreak began in 2000.
- An increased number of dengue-related deaths has been recorded since 2021. In 2021 and 2022, there were 28,429 and 61,089 cases respectively.
- Dengue-related deaths in 2023 surpassed the combined total of the previous 23 years. From 2000-2023, there were 853 deaths while 1,705 deaths were recorded in 2023 alone. More than 321,000 infections were reported.
- So far this year, a total of 25,576 dengue cases have been confirmed. The official death toll from dengue this year has already climbed to 104.
- A sharp rise in fatalities has accompanied the spike in cases. Around 20 people have died of dengue so far in August, following 41 deaths in July — more than double June's 19 fatalities.
- The capital is the hotspot for dengue outbreaks, responsible for over half of all cases in 2023.
The bigger picture:
- Although dengue has been worsening over the past five years, measures taken by the Bangladesh government to control the issue have proven largely ineffective.
- Initiatives, such as killing only mature mosquitoes by fogging, are inadequate for controlling mosquito proliferation, according to experts.
- According to Transparency International Bangladesh, the fight against dengue is hindered by a consistent failure to comply with essential laws and guidelines, including non-adherence to the Communicable Diseases (Prevention, Control and Eradication) Act 2018.
- From 2012-2023 the Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporations spent a total of Tk 1,080 crore to combat dengue. TIB said the same strategy has been used year after year, with no proper evaluation of the effectiveness of dengue control and prevention activities, resulting in waste of a substantial amount of money.
The bottom line:
Despite an escalating dengue crisis, marked by record-breaking cases and fatalities, policy measures have failed to curb the spread. With the monsoon season intensifying mosquito breeding, will there be any new policies to prevent further loss of life? Or will we be left with the same old routine, when a man shows up once in a blue moon and fogs your neighbourhood before making his way into the sunset?
Trump's meeting with Putin: Is lasting peace really on the cards?
Speaking separately on the eve of their meeting, US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart both spoke about ending the Ukraine war. Trump said he believes Putin is ready to end his war in Ukraine, while Putin hailed Trump's "energetic and sincere efforts" to end the conflict.
Zoom In:
- The summit is expected to be held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, a military base that played a crucial role in the US monitoring of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
- The venue has been chosen equally for security and isolation. The military base houses more than 30,000 soldiers, boasts infrastructure worth around $15 billion, and covers 85,000 acres.
- Trump and Putin had several meetings in his first term, with their last sit-down in 2019 at the G-20 Summit.
- Today's hastily arranged summit, organised at Putin's behest, will be the Russian ruler's first trip to American soil since he visited George W Bush in 2007.
The bigger picture:
- Trump described the encounter as a "feel-out meeting" to see how serious Putin is about making peace with Ukraine, adding that there is a 25% chance the meeting would be successful.
- On Wednesday, Trump threatened "severe consequences" if Putin does not agree to peace in Ukraine and has warned of economic sanctions if his meeting on Friday proves fruitless.
- The same day, he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders that his goal was to get a ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who were on the call, confirmed that Trump said he wants to try to obtain a ceasefire.
- Yet, European and Ukrainian officials are anxious Trump will side with Putin and pressure Zelensky to make major concessions.
- Putin has raised the possibility of claiming two territories in Ukraine, while holding Russia's current positions in Zaporizhia and Kherson.
- Trump suggested that "land swaps" would be needed in any peace deal, but that it would be up to Putin and Zelensky.
The bottom line:
Although Trump has repeatedly spoken about peace in Ukraine, many continue to doubt the sincerity of his words. His motivations were further thrown into question when it was reported by Norwegian media that when Trump called Norway's finance minister last month to discuss tariffs, he also told him he wanted the Nobel Peace Prize.
If Trump is indeed fighting for lasting peace, that award may be headed his way. He has already been nominated by several countries, including Pakistan, Cambodia, and Israel and bringing peace to Europe would almost certainly sway any jury in his favour.
However, if he is fighting only to further his own cult of personality by winning an award, however prestigious, it is more than likely Putin will see through the facade and agree a deal that will not guarantee lasting peace, but provide temporary relief that would serve only to appease an egomaniac.
Advisers should resign if they want to contest elections. What's stopping them?
Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Thursday said that advisers who intend to join politics after the announcement of the election schedule should resign.
"None of us, including myself and other advisers who wish to engage in politics in the future, should be part of the electioneering government. Otherwise, the election will be questioned," he said.
Zoom In:
After the fall of the Awami League government, numerous leaders of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement found a place in the highest ranks of government, while two left to form the National Citizen Party (NCP).
- Nahid Islam was appointed in-change of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology and served until submitting his resignation on February 25 to become the convener of the National Citizen Party, a post he officially took over three days later.
- Sarjis Alam served as the secretary general of the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation from 21 October 2024 until his resignation on 22 January this year. On 9 December 2024, he was made the chief organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee.
- Mahfuj Alam, one of the leaders of the SAD movement, currently holds the position of Adviser for Information and Broadcasting.
- Asif Mahmud himself was a key coordinator of the movement. Asked if he would resign after making the comment on Thursday, Asif said he had not yet made a decision.
The bigger picture:
At present, the cabinet of advisers of the interim government is largely split into two camps. A majority of advisers are academics, tenured journalists, retired defence officers and high-ranking professionals but there are some notable exceptions, including AFM Khalid Hossain, Naib-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam, as well as Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud.
Since the chief adviser confirmed that the 13th Parliamentary Election would be held in February, speculation has surrounded whether the latter two will leave the government and join the NCP, like Nahid and Sarjis.
This apparent conflict of interest has drawn criticism from many, including TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman, who referred to the NCP as the "king's party" because of its ties to sitting members of the cabinet of advisers.
Another interesting observation was noted by Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Center for Policy Dialogue, who said it appeared as if many of the advisers had "come to do internships".
The bottom line:
With the Election Commission stating yesterday that the election roadmap would be announced next week, Asif Mahmud's statement is correct and timely. Whether he and those around him will heed those words and make a responsible decision within the appropriate time remains to be seen.
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