Health System Resilience for a Concurrent Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Dengue: A Response from Bangladesh
Summary: Bangladesh has experienced periodic dengue outbreaks since 2000, with the largest occurring last year, resulting in over 100,000 cases and 120 deaths. These outbreaks, peaking during the monsoon season and lasting until December, heavily burden the country's limited-budget health care system by increasing bed occupancy, consultations, and workload for health service providers. Diagnostic kit shortages are also common. The presence of noncritical patients in hospitals often disrupts the timely management of critical cases. This year, until November 11, 2020, 792 dengue cases were reported, with expectations of a rise. Concurrently, Bangladesh faces a significant COVID-19 burden with 393,000 confirmed
Syndemic of Tuberculosis and COVID-19 in Bangladesh
Summary: COVID-19 has affected every aspect of human lives and its impact in resource constrained countries had been devastating. The syndemic of COVID-19 and Tuberculosis (TB) had led the whole TB management system of Bangladesh on the edge of breakdown. However, a little attention was given by the authority to tackle the issue. Hence, a multisectoral and properly coordinated approach is recommended. Full text link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10105395211034073?journalCode=apha#:~:text=One%20model%20indicated%20that%20a,the%20people%20to%20extreme%20poverty. Keywords: COVID-19, Tuberculosis, Syndemic, Bangladesh, Old disease
The road towards protection of all against tetanus
Summary: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), tetanus continues to be a major public health concern. Although vaccination campaigns have been effective in lowering the incidence of tetanus worldwide, some areas continue to experience a considerable number of cases and fatalities. Adult tetanus is frequently underreported because there is insufficient systematic surveillance and reporting. A high proportion of tetanus patients die because of a lack of adequate critical care services, particularly ventilator support, with limited access to existing facilities due to high costs. Hence, the case fatality rate of adult tetanus remains high. Women and children are protected because of
Clinico-epidemiological characteristics of patients with vitiligo in Bangladesh
Summary: Vitiligo is an acquired idiopathic skin disorder characterized by pigmentation of the skin and mucous membrane. Patients with vitiligo often experience discrimination and stigma in Bangladesh. Due to the belief that it is contagious, people avoid contact, further isolating them. Moreover, it was reported that the majority of them suffer from marital problems because vitiligo evokes misconceptions and prejudice within relationships. Information regarding vitiligo is limited, and there are no recognized epidemiological data on the prevalence and incidence of vitiligo in Bangladesh; therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to provide insight into the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients with vitiligo in
OP-ED: What are our opportunities in clinical trials?
Summary: International Clinical Trials Day is commemorated worldwide on or around May 20. It was first launched in 2005 by the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN), in recognition of the day on which James Lind started, what is widely believed to be the first clinical trial, in 1747. Aboard the HMS Salisbury of the British Royal Navy fleet, Scottish surgeon mate James Lind conducted his “fair test” in search of a treatment for Scurvy, which we now know is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C, and which is thought to have killed more British sailors than French and
Health research publications of Bangladesh—an appeal for policy reform and long-term investment
Author: Hasan et al. Summary: Bangladesh has made huge strides in economic growth and healthcare delivery since its independence 50 years ago, although significant lags exist in all domains of health. One of the key domains of a vibrant health policy is health research. Health research in Bangladesh is getting growing attention among the stakeholders; however, in the case of one of the key indicators—Bangladesh-origin scientific journal—the achievement is quite frustrating, where the presence of internationally indexed journals is next to zero. The Journal of Statistical Research, commenced in 1970, published by the then University of Dacca, is the first