Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can infect other places in the body such as the inner organs, bones, the brain, the spine etc (extrapulmonary TB). This is due to the highly contagious nature of the infection, which spreads from
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Health insurance critical to achieving universal health coverage
Bangladesh has taken considerable steps to ensure UHC can be achieved by 2030, but it still remains an uphill battle. The government’s low health spend, 2.8 per cent of its GDP – one of the smallest in the world, has led to substantial out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditures, rising from 55.9 per cent in 1997 to
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Why are garments workers more prone to violence at home?
One of the most prevalent public health issues plaguing the world today is violence against women and girls. Not only is this a violation of fundamental human rights, but the negative effects of such abuse can last a lifetime and even span generations, impacting the health, education, and employment of millions of women and their
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Why it is important mothers breastfeed within an hour of birth
One of the little known ‘superfoods’ for newborn babies is colostrum. It is a nutrient-rich fluid produced by women, expressed during the first feeding. It builds the baby’s immune system, and is packed with all the proteins, salts, fats, and vitamins and most importantly lactose which are all vital to a newborn’s growth. Given that
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Many children not receiving timely immunisation in Bangladesh
Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost-effective means of saving lives. It is a simple and effective measure to protect children (and adults) from serious diseases, giving them the best start to a healthy future. Additionally, not only does immunisation protect the individual, but also greatly benefits the wider community by minimising the
