The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued new instructions for public hospitals to ensure more organized treatment of dengue patients. According to the guidelines, all hospitals across the country must immediately set up dedicated wards for dengue treatment and form a specialized medical team. The DGHS believes that this initiative will help improve patient care, reduce risks, and enhance the overall quality of hospital services.

It said hospitals must make special arrangements for admitted dengue patients. In particular, facilities for NS-1 tests, emergency care, and sufficient medicines must be ensured. Patients admitted with dengue should be placed in a designated ward or room, while ICU support must be prioritized when needed. In addition, doctors and nurses have been assigned special responsibilities. The directive further stated that a board must be formed with medicine, paediatric, and other specialist physicians for the treatment of dengue and chikungunya patients.

An Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and Bangladesh is expected to be signed soon, according to the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi. During a meeting with Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed in Dhaka, the ambassador said the 7th round of EPA talks was recently held in Tokyo, where both sides expressed optimism that the agreement would be signed shortly. "This partnership will open up a new window of opportunities for the economy of both countries," the ambassador said.

Shinichi also said Bangladesh holds "enormous potential" in trade, business, and investment but stressed the need for diversification of the industrial structure and greater efficiency in public service to harness this potential. With Bangladesh's domestic market steadily expanding and investment facilities improving, he noted that Japanese entrepreneurs are likely to boost investments in the country.Highlighting opportunities for cooperation in technology, the envoy pointed out that skilled Bangladeshi IT professionals could contribute to Japan's advanced tech sector, creating mutual benefits.

Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) raised tariffs for the first time in 39 years, with charges increasing up to 50%. The new rates took effect this week. Omar Faruk, CPA secretary, said the hike is aimed at expanding port capacity and upgrading services, adding that the impact on consumers would be minimal. Some fees have surged sharply. The berthing charge for the first 12 hours has doubled, while charges after 36 hours have jumped as much as 900%.

Pilotage fees are now $800 per movement, tugboat services range from $615 to $6,830, and container handling costs have risen 25-50%. But business leaders warned the increase could hit trade competitiveness and raise consumer prices. Syed Mohammad Arif, chairman of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association, said the association had requested a 10%-12% rise. Chittagong Port handles about 3.3 million containers and 130 million metric tons of cargo annually, serving over 4,000 ships. The new tariff structure was prepared with Spanish consultancy IDOM.

Dredging work of the Ichamati River in Pabna has been badly hampered due to a prolonged legal battle with encroachers, raising concerns over the completion of the Tk 1,554 crore project. The Water Development Board began the "Rejuvenating River Ichamati" project in June 2024. The three-year scheme includes 110 kilometres of dredging -- 33.772km of the Ichamati river, 44.072km of connecting canals, 20km of the Sutikhali river, and 12.37km of the Varara canal -- to bring water flow back into the Ichamati.

In addition to dredging, the mega project will construct a 10km retaining wall, 10km of drainage, 23 new bridges, 56 ghats for boats, a 10km walkway, and will plant 42,310 trees along the riverbanks for beautification. According to WDB officials, dredging of the 33km main river was to be carried out first, followed by the other development works.Sixty-five percent of the work has been completed, but dredging in the 5km municipality stretch has been halted due to legal disputes.