Govt confirms first swine flu death

The government has confirmed the first death from swine flu in the country. The official announcement came after Prime Minister's Health Affairs Adviser Prof Syed Modasser Ali held a special meeting at IEDCR with its officials this morning.

Meanwhile, 14 fresh cases of the deadly H1N1 virus were detected today, raising the toll to 213 since June 18.

Prof Mahmudur Rahman, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), confirmed Mitali Chakraborty, 35, died of swine flu at a private hospital last night. He also said Mitali might not have survived as she has some other complications also.

Mitali, wife of Taposh Chakraborty of Savar, was admitted to the hospital on August 20 with fever. She was admitted to Savar's Enam Medical College Hospital on Aug 16 with suspected dengue, but when it was clear her symptoms did not match dengue, and might be swine flu, Mita was transferred to Lab Aid Hospital in Dhanmondi, her family said.

She was taking anti-viral drug after she was tested positive for the H1N1 virus on August 27.
Meanwhile, the officials concerned said most of infected people have been cured and the rest are suffering from mild swine flu.

Anti-viral drug is being provided to patients with complications and sufficient quantity of drugs is in stock at all public hospitals and a few private hospitals, they added.

"Currently, the government has a stock of 29 lakh Oseltamivir capsules to treat around three lakh patients," said IEDCR Director Prof Mahmud.

"The drug is needed for a few patients. In most cases, the patients recover without the drug. What is needed the most is to keep a patient isolated to contain the spread of the virus," he said.
Different pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh have started producing Oseltamivir. Beximco is manufacturing the drug with the brand name of Ose flu while Eskayef as SK Flu and Popular Pharmaceuticals Ltd as Oselta.

Globally, Roche is producing the drug with the brand name Tamiflu. The ingredients for producing the drug are the same for all companies, said experts.

The government said a total of 12 hospitals are under surveillance while 15 are ready for providing treatment to swine flu patients immediately. Experts, however, said the government should specify which 12 hospitals are under surveillance and the districts where swine flu has spread.

The geographical distribution of swine flu should be revealed for making people more aware about the disease and the cautionary measures. They also said April-September is the peak time of seasonal flu. So, flu-like symptoms do not mean swine flu infection.

However, they warned the situation might worsen by winter as the A/H1N1 virus spreads easily in dry season. They suggested maintaining personal hygiene like covering the mouth while sneezing or coughing, maintaining safe distance from people with flu-like illness and using masks for protection.

Ordeal at hospital outdoors

People flock to a ticket counter to get medical services at the outdoor section of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital where only one employee is there to issue the tickets. Patients throng city hospitals, struggle to get doctors' attention only for less than 2 minutes

Due to lack of manpower, other facilities and increasing number of patients, doctors at the outdoor departments of important city hospitals can only see a patient for as little as less than two minutes.

While the number of patients has more than doubled in the last few years, the number of doctors has not increased at all.

After buying a ticket and waiting in line for hours, outpatients often see that the doctor has finished writing the prescription before they had even finished telling what their problem was.

An attendant of a patient at the outdoor section of Suhrawardi Hospital said, "We are not receiving free treatment here. We pay taxes and buy tickets for the treatment. But the doctors behave in such a way as if we are disturbing them and they are doing us a favour."

The on-duty doctor of the hospital said, "Every day nearly 400 patients come here for treatment at the outdoor department of the medicine ward but there are only four doctors. It is not possible for a doctor to see 100 patients from 8:00am to 2:00pm at a stretch." He said the situation is almost the same at the outdoor departments of ENT, Skin and Gynae departments.

A medical officer at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) told The Daily Star that he has to attend around 200 patients every day between 8:00am and 2:30pm. Which means a doctor can only see a patient for less than two minutes.

"What kind of service can be provided in this short time?" said the on-duty medical officer, adding that even though the number of patients at the outdoor section increased manifold, the number of doctors has not been increased. Since the 70's there are only four medical officers at the outdoor section, there should be at least eight, he said.

The situation at the outdoors of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) is even worse. There is the cabin block outdoor section and the old outdoor section on the two edges of the large hospital, which is confusing for patients as to which outdoor section they should be going.

Osimon Begum, a 70-year-old lady, was found lying on a trolley at the old outdoor section around 1:00pm. She was suffering from brain haemorrhage and was brought to the hospital around five in the morning from a remote village in Naogaon.

Instead of getting emergency medical attention, she was kept in the noisy and suffocating outdoor section for a long time until a doctor was able to see her. The doctor, however, referred her to DMCH straight away since there were no vacant beds in the Neurosurgery section of BSMMU.

Fifteen departments are crammed into the two rather small outdoor sections of BSMMU. They are uninviting, dark, hot and the flow of air inside leaves a lot to be desired.

Many patients feel very uncomfortable there. During the summer the situation worsens and a patient fainting is almost a common scene.

"Who will say this is the top medical institution, where doctors do not even have the environment to serve the patients," said an associate professor at the cabin block outdoor section, adding that some 3,500 patients seek treatment at the two outdoor sections a day and it is really tough to pay attention to the patients properly in such an environment.

The Vice-chancellor of the university Prof Pran Gopal Dutta, however, told The Daily Star that the outdoor sections would be extended within six months and in three to four years' time an outdoor complex would be set up.

The environment of the outdoor section at Mitford Hospital have improved a lot during the last one year. The facilities, however, has not improved keeping pace with the increasing number of patients.

"The number of patients at the outdoor department was nearly 200 on an average day in July, 2007. This has now increased to 800," said the outdoor medicine section resident physician Shasanka Kumar Saha. Only seven people deal with nearly 800 patients, he said.

National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases, the lone specialised public hospital for cardiac patients, also experiences manpower shortage that affects the quality of service.

Kajal Kumar Karmaker, resident physician of the institute, said, "There are only 13 posts of doctors at the outdoor department to attend to around 400 patients on an average day. This sometimes become impossible and often we have to call in doctors of the hospital to tackle a situation."

On an average day around 375 patients, a significant increase from only a couple of years ago, receive treatment at the outdoor section whereas the number of people working there has remained the same since 1996, he added.

The situations at the outdoor sections of NITORE, Kidney Institute and Cancer Institute are almost identical to those hospitals.

-Mahbuba Zannat

BRTA launched drive to ease traffic congestion in Dhaka during Ramadan

The drive to ease traffic congestion in the capital often proves counterproductive as queues of buses and cars seized by mobile courts obstruct the other vehicles on the roads.

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority has lately launched a campaign to alleviate the plight of the commuters during Ramadan. But the way its mobile courts stop vehicles to check papers, file cases, collect fines and leave the seized ones waiting to be towed away makes matters even worse.

Despite special measures by BRTA and Dhaka Metropolitan Police, almost all roads in the city clogged up yesterday, the first day of Ramadan.

Even the prime minister could not avoid the morning-hour gridlock and was late for office. Her motorcade got stuck in a snarl-up on the way from her official residence Jamuna, reports the state-run news agency BSS.

BRTA magistrates Masudur Rahman and Mashiur Rahman set up two mobile courts in front of BG Press in Tejgaon yesterday. The vehicles they seized formed long rows, adding to the tailbacks.

Asked about obstruction to the other traffic, Magistrate Masudur Rahman told that they have only one wrecker and it is never enough to take away so many vehicles and clear the roads immediately. They have no option but to keep the seized vehicles waiting to be taken to the dumping places later, he argued.

BRTA Director (enforcement) Tapan Kumar Sarker said the wrecker they have at their disposal now has been hired from DMP.

DMP Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque said they have five wreckers but most of them are not fit to be in use at the moment. He said they need at least 10 more to haul away the huge number of unfit and unauthorised buses and cars seized by police and transport authority. For instance, he added, DMP alone seized 1,679 motorised vehicles and 1,652 rickshaws last week.

Meanwhile, the 12-member high-powered committee formed on August 20 to coordinate and monitor the measures to reduce traffic jam inspected several city roads yesterday.

The committee chief and additional communications secretary Shafique Alam Mehdi said this ever-worsening traffic situation cannot be solved overnight. Things will not improve unless some drastic steps are taken. "We have already proposed the government cancel the decision to lease out city roads for parking,” he continued.

"The reality is we need many more flyovers and roads to see a turnaround."

The ministry on August 20 recommended the government arrange for 20 magistrates to conduct drive against old vehicles, illegal parking, obstructions to vehicular movement and violation of traffic rules.

If the recommendation is implemented, at least 16 mobile courts would work in eight DMP zones.

Contacted, DC Zilllar Rahman said, "I hope we will get the mobile courts in operation in a day or two."

Sakib shines in Tigers win

Bangladesh captain Sakib al Hasan (R) acknowledges the crowd after scoring his century against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

Shakib Al Hasan starred with a delightfully aggressive ton in Bangladesh's second straight win in the five-match series against Zimbabwe. Tamim Iqbal laid the platform with a patient half-century before Shakib took over to charge Bangladesh to their highest ODI score. Zimbabwe tried gamely, courtesy fine half-centuries from Charles Coventry and Sean Williams, but the 321-run target proved beyond their reach.

Bangladesh's strategy was simple: keep a tight line and wait for the pressure of the steep target to start telling on the batsmen. And it worked. Coventry provided some momentum to the chase by counterattacking after the early wickets. There was a very skilful hit over extra-cover against Syed Rasel and couple of big sixes against the offspinner Naeem Islam but he fell, trying to keep pace with the required run rate.

Post Coventry's exit, Williams played a gem of a cameo, filled with improvisations, but he too became a victim of the run-rate. Sean, who notched up his highest ODI score, not only used his feet well against the spinners but also repeatedly put the reverse sweep to good effect to upset the rhythm of the bowlers. He ran hard between the wickets and kept picking singles and twos to keep the scorecard moving. Near the end of the chase, he took more risks, charging out to the seamers as well. He sashayed down the track and heaved Nazmul Hossain to the cowcorner and slapped him over covers but fell, failing to clear long-on. Elton Chigumbura biffed around in the end to raise hopes but could only succeed in reducing the margin of the loss.

Bangladesh's win was set up by their batsmen led by Shakib, who provided momentum with an imposing knock. Bangladesh were 108 for 1 in 25 overs but Shakib ensured that they finished strongly.

The feature of his innings was his skill in repeatedly picking the gaps: there were quite a few hits over extra cover, a few to the straight boundary and many swings to midwicket. He started carefully, dealing in singles and twos to reach 15, before breaking free with two pulled boundaries. The explosion started in the 38th over, bowled by the part-time spinner Williams, with Shakib, who was denied the services of a runner just prior to the over, swinging twice over midwicket boundary. He went on to crash Ray Price to the straight boundary before lifting Prosper Utseya over long-off and twice over extra-cover as he made full use of the batting Powerplay.

He was aided by some poor fielding and was dropped twice in the inner circle: when he was on 59, Stuart Matsikenyeri spilled a sitter at midwicket off an attempted reverse-sweep against Utseya and when he was on 71, Price dropped another off a top-edged paddle-sweep.

Shakib went on the rampage after the twin drops. He looted 19 runs, with the help of three boundaries that included a stunning six over long-off, off the 44th over bowled by Chamu Chibhabha. He brought up the hundred in 63 balls and celebrated it with a cheeky scoop shot off Ed Rainsford before he was run out going for the third run after Mushfiqur Rahim had slashed to deep point. Rahim sought to make amends for his mistake with some big hitting in the end to push Bangladesh well past 300.

The platform was laid earlier in the day by Tamim, who forged a more staid partnership with Zunaed Siddiqui at the top of the order. Only four fours came in the first fifteen overs and only one boundary was hit in the air. It not only reflected the intent of the batsmen but also the disciplined lines and length of the new-ball bowlers Elton Chigumbura and Rainsford. If there was to be any criticism, it has to be said that they perhaps strayed to the middle and leg line a touch too often against Tamim, which shows up in his wagon wheel: Tamim picked 48 runs on the on side.

For their part, the batsmen were absolutely focused on playing themselves in before going for their shots. Things were looking good when Siddiqui was run out. He pushed Utseya, who brought himself on in the 11th over, to the left of short midwicket, was caught in a yes-no situation with Tamim and couldn't get back to his crease in time. Tamim, himself, was run out soon in a comical fashion. He had missed to connect a leg-side delivery but was stranded in the middle due to a faulty call from Shakib and was easily run out by the keeper. However, it didn't prove to be a major set back as Shakib set the stadium ablaze with his power-hitting.

Tigers prey on the Lions - Ashraful Star of The Show

It couldn't have been any more emphatic for the Tigers. An eight-wicket victory to start the five-match series against Zimbabwe at their own backyard just lighted up the Grameenphone Cup at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.

Carrying their form and confidence from the Caribbean and not distracted by the shock loss in the practice match, Bangladesh made a statement loud and clear, we are here to win.

And who is better to lead the way than their most successful batsman, Mohammad Ashraful? Once again he led Bangladesh to their victory with a magnificent unbeaten century, one that was full of class, temperament, cleverness and audacity.

Ashraful hammered a run-a-ball 103 as Bangladesh chased down a modest Zimbabwe total of 207 with a lavish 15.3 overs to spare. Ashraful, who struck a dozen boundaries and a couple of sixes, completed his third hundred by running down a ball to the third-man boundary. His bout with left-arm spinner Raymond Price was the highlight of an otherwise one-sided match. Understandably irked after being taunted by the bowler, Ashraful hit back by smashing a six followed by three successive fours in the 15th over that produced 19 runs.

It all started with Tamim Iqbal and Zunaed Siddiqui getting the innings off to a flyer on a pitch that lived up to its reputation as a belter. Tamim thrashed the second ball of the innings from Elton Chigumbura through point for four followed by a splendid straight drive for the same result. His opening partner Zunaed provided even harsher treatment to the other bowler, Chamu Chibhaba, spanking him for three boundaries in different directions. The bowler had the last laugh though, as Zunaed played one drive too many, this time going straight to the hands of Graeme Cremer at mid-off. Bangladesh had raced to 30 in four overs by then, 28 of those coming in boundaries and Zunaed contributing 21 off only 12 balls.

Zimbabwe skipper Prosper Utseya was quick to read the signs and brought himself on as early as the sixth over in a bid to stem the flow of runs. Ashraful was cautious to start, probably not in form as yet, left a few deliveries outside the off-stump and dealt with the spin carefully. But he was soon to join the act as he slashed two slightly wide deliveries from Utseya through point for back-to-back boundaries. Both batsmen were looking at ease with the bowling as they maintained a steady run-rate of six through the first two powerplays. Zimbabwe's most experienced bowler Price was taken to task by Ashraful as the spinner was dispensed to all parts of the ground including a huge six over long-on. Both the batsmen soon got to their fifties and started to milk in the boundaries without showing much respect to any of the bowlers. Utseya tried out all his options, but no one seemed to make any impact on the scoring rate as the Tigers raced towards the target. Tamim's late dismissal brought a few cheers from the crowd and a few smiles on the Zimbabwe players, but was too little to bring in any decisive turnaround for the home team. Ashraful inserted his total command over this benign attack and led the visitors to a most convincing victory, beating their bitter rivals by eight wickets and 15 overs left.

Earlier, having won the toss and electing to bowl first on a wicket with some grass that surely had some assistance for the pacemen early on. And the pacers didn't take long to reward their skipper.

Syed Rasel, the left arm seamer with very little pace, used the early moisture expertly and beat opener Hamilton Masakadza a couple of times before the batsman went after a wide ball only to nick it to keeper Mushfiqur Rahim. The other opener Mark Vermeulen, back after a long time in the wilderness, would go on to play a commanding knock.

Along with Rasel, other pacer Nazmul Hossain kept the batsmen quiet for most part, occasionally faltering in line and length and being duly punished for. The second wicket to fall was Chibhaba having scored only 7 runs. Nazmul bowled a back of a length delivery outside off-stump, and the batsman got a thin edge to the keeper with the score on 25.

It was in the 13th over that spin was introduced as captain Shakib Al Hasan brought himself into the attack and immediately made some impact as he had a loud appeal against Vermeulen for lbw only to be tuned down by the umpire. Enamul Haque was brought in at the other end.

Shakib was unlucky again a few overs later as Vermeulen swung one high over midwicket but the fielder (Nazmul) under that one, having all the time in the world, spilled it in the end. That proved to be a costly mistake. Shakib however got the reward for his consistent line and length when he trapped Brendan Taylor in front of the wicket. The batsman might consider himself a bit unlucky as replays showed that he got a thin inside edge as he defended, and he had got a massive stride in as well.

Vermeulen, at the other end, was batting quite comfortably, no sign of rustiness from his long absence from international cricket. He milked deliveries on all parts and hit boundaries occasionally as he reached his 50 off just 73 deliveries.

Chris Coventry came in and was looking ominous as he hit a boundary and a six off to race off to 19 before Shakib made a surprising change to bring on Ashraful who with his very first delivery lured the batsman to play a big shot towards mid-wicket, but he top-edged it and Mahmudullah took a well-judged catch just within the rope.

The later batsmen came in and played a few lusty blows but eventually were skittled by Nazmul who outshone others taking three wickets for 29 in 6.5 overs. Once looking good for a 230-plus score, the Zimbabweans tottered to the modest total before being all out in the 48th over.

Fishing around Dhanmondi

People fish on the sidewalk around Dhanmondi Lake in the capital yesterday as heavy rain over the last few days left the lake overflowing.

Historic Whitewash

Bangladesh players along with officials celebrate winning the third and final one-day international against the West Indies at Warner Park in Bassterre on Friday. Bangladesh won the match by three wickets to take the series 3-0.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan poses with the winners' trophy after the third and final one-day international against the West Indies at Warner Park in St Kitts on Friday.

All-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad drives the ball on the off-side during his match-winning knock of 51 not out in the third and final one-dayer against the West Indies at Warner Park in St Kitts. Bangladesh won the match by three wickets and the series 3-0.


Tamim Iqbal (L) completes a magnificent diving catch while his opening partner Zunaed Siddiqui drives Bangladesh to a position of strength during the third and final one-day international against the West Indies at Warner Park in St Kitts on Friday. Tamim struck a brisk 30 while Zunaed scored a measured 55 to lay the foundation of a three-wicket win.

West Indies ODI series whitewashed by Tigers

Half-centuries from Junaid Siddique and Mahmudullah led Bangladesh to a three-wicket victory, and a 3-0 cleansweep of the one-day international series over West Indies early today. Siddique struck six fours in 55 from 73 balls, and Mahmudullah, who was named man-of-the-match, hit two fours and one six in an unbeaten 51 from 70 balls to help Bangladesh overhaul a victory target of 249 in the third and final ODI at Warner Park. Mahmudullah made sure of victory when he flicked a delivery from Kemar Roach through square leg.

Bangladesh won the opening match in Dominica last Sunday by 52 runs, and the second match at the same venue on Tuesday by three wickets. Their ODI series victory followed a cleansweep of the preceding two-Test series against a home side decimated by a player boycott.

"After winning the Test series, we were looking forward to this ODI series," said Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan. "It was a total team effort. Every time the team was under pressure, someone was able to put their hands up and do the job. This success in the Caribbean will help to take us to the next level."

Bangladesh dismissed West Indies for 248 in 47.4 overs, after the home team decided to bat. Siddique and fellow opener Tamim Iqbal set Bangladesh on their way with a stand of 54 for the first wicket. But they slid to 133 for five in the 28th over before Mahmudullah joined Mushfiqur Rahim and added 50 for the sixth wicket. It however, took a stand of 49 for the seventh wicket between Mahmudullah and Naeem Islam which virtually pushed the Tigers over the threshold. Earlier, Mahmudullah, bowling his off-spin, along with fast-medium bowler Mahbubul Alam, and left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak all captured two wickets.

The Bangladesh bowlers maintained the pressure throughout, and several West Indies batsmen got starts. Andre Fletcher led the way with 52 from 42 balls, captain Floyd Reifer and his deputy Darren Sammy made 40 apiece.

"I think throughout the series we needed to build more and better partnerships when we were batting," said Reifer. "Whenever we seem to be building partnerships, the guys always seem to be getting out at the wrong time. They needed to carry on at crucial stages in the game." He added: "But we had a young, inexperienced team. We have got to continue to play hard, keep talking more about the game, and looking back at our mistakes.


"All the games were very close, and it was just that we kept making crucial mistakes at crucial times." Bangladesh restricted West Indies to 10 for two in the fourth over before Dowlin and Andre Fletcher put on 76 for the third wicket. Fletcher reached his 50 from 40 balls, when he slogged Abdur Razzak over mid-wicket for his eighth four in the 14th over, after he had taken a four and a six off the third and fourth balls of the same over. Bangladesh then made West Indies wobble on 124 for five in the 28th over, but were revived when Reifer and Sammy added 64 before they were among a cluster of wickets that fell in the last 15 overs.