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planning, as only about 3.5 percent of district hospitals were found to operate at full efficiency.
Temperature monitoring conducted between July and September 2023 showed that while the Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded an average temperature of 29.7 degrees Celsius -- close to the study’s 29.9 degrees Celsius -- the maximum temperature differed significantly: 37 degrees Celsius by BMD versus 44 degrees Celsius in field data.
The study also found that areas with green and blue spaces are 0.8-1.4 degrees Celsius cooler, and adopting suburban characteristics, such as increased greenery, could reduce temperatures by at least 0.5 degrees Celsius.
To address rising heat risks, the study recommended establishing a network of monitoring stations and expanding green spaces across the city.
Professor Zahidul Quayyum, co-director of the Centre of Excellence for Urban Equity and Health (CUEH), said nearly 45 percent of urban areas face high heat vulnerability, alongside a shortage of nearby healthcare facilities.
A key challenge is the lack of reliable data on heat-related illness and deaths, which limits accurate assessment in many low- and middle-income countries, said Prof Quayyum.
Dr MA Muhit, state minister for health ministry, emphasised a holistic approach to health systems through integrating disease patterns, financing, and patient needs and called for a concrete draft policy to guide transparent and accountable implementation.
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of PPRC, who moderated the programme, recommended an integrated action to improve provider efficiency, address user priorities such as cost and waiting time, strengthen strategic purchasing, and use data systematically.
He also called for identifying potential implementation challenges.
Dr Laura Reichenbach, dean of BRAC JPGSPH, also spoke, among others.
Measles breaks out
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They alleged that limited healthcare services in the remote hilly areas led to the critical situation.
“If a child falls ill, it costs about Tk 600 to take them to Alikadam Sadar Hospital, which is often unaffordable for us. Due to a lack of mobile network, we cannot even call for a vehicle in an emergency,” said Yangthang Mro, a resident.
Krathu Pung Mro, chairman of Kurukpata Union Parishad, said four children died from measles symptoms in the union. However, no official confirmation has been obtained in this regard.
Locals demanded a permanent health centre instead of the temporary medical camp, as well as prompt measures to curb the spread of the disease and similar symptoms.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Health Services recorded three more confirmed measles deaths in 24 hours till 8:00am yesterday, taking the total number of confirmed measles deaths to 47 since March 15 across the country.
Besides, the directorate recorded six more suspected deaths in 24 hours, taking the number of suspected deaths to 226.