A globally acclaimed Indian retina specialist has suggested creating a task force and introducing a national program to expand retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) services across Bangladesh to prevent avoidable blindness among children while major stakeholders in the field endorsed the suggestion.

Prof Dr Anand Vinekar, Program Director of KIDROP at Narayana Nethralaya eye institute at Bangalore in India, made the suggestion at a dinner meeting with Bangladesh’s leading ophthalmologists, government stakeholders and NGOs working in eye health, at a restaurant in Dhaka on Thursday night.

“It’s high time now to create a national task force under the leadership of BSMMU [Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujb Medical University] and NIO&H [National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital] accommodating neonatologists, gynecologists, international NGOs and other stakeholders to expand ROP services,” he said.

Dr Munir Ahmed, Country Director of Orbis International, moderated the meeting where ophthalmologists, neonatologists and representatives from health sector regulators, international NGOs and eye hospitals in different parts of the country presented the existing situation in ROP services and suggested actions needed to make it available across the country.

They said many health facilities dealing with eye diseases lack capacity in terms of human resources, appropriate equipment, tele-consultation and responsive referral system which need to be available across the country.

ROP is a unique vaso-proliferative disorder affecting the avascular retina of premature and low birth weight neonates. If not detected and treated timely, it can quickly progress to the blinding stage. Timely screening – within 30 days of life – and treatment in the early stage of ROP, however, can prevent blindness.

Speaking at the meeting organized by Orbis International, Dr Khaleda Islam, former Director of Primary Health Care of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said a system protocol needs to be established involving health professionals of all tiers and community to bring every preterm baby born anywhere in the country under ROP screening. Prof Dr Nuzhat Choudhury from the Ophthalmology Department of BSMMU suggested development of a national plan of action to utilize the existing resources for increased coverage and access to ROP services. She also recommended close supervision and quality monitoring of health facilities dealing with eye diseases and the creation of mid-level health care personnel for the NICUs and SCANUs for taking paediatric ocular images and sending them to tertiary facilities.

Referring to WHO, Dr Munir Ahmed said that for every 10 million population Bangladesh needs one child eye centre. “But if we consider ROP, we also need to look into how many centres have been already equipped for screening and referral but not being utilised optimally.”

Dr Md Jahirul Islam, Program Manager of MNC&AH at DGHS, emphasized revitalization of the existing ROP national steering committee and national eye care operational plan to accelerate ROP services in a collaborative way.

Dr Dewan Md Emdadul Hoque, Health Manager at UNICEF, expressed his interest in working closely at the national level to support the national ROP programme in Bangladesh.

Dr Tariq Reza Ali, Associate Professor at BSMMU, emphasized the need for coordination and support of the facilities with appropriate and fundamental equipment to continue ROP services.

Changing the way the world sees.

The doctor said that Salim Miar (45), a young man from Ishwarganj, Mymensingh, who was rescued from Milton Samaddar’s Child and Aged Care, which is discussed all over the country, has two kidneys intact.

Doctor Syed Hasanul Islam Akash of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital's kidney disease department confirmed the matter after an examination on Saturday (May 11) night.

Earlier last Wednesday (May 8) with the help of the police, Salim was rescued from Ashram Child and Age Care of Milton Samaddar in a sick condition and brought home.

Salim Mia is the son of Hasimuddan of Bripachashi village of Barahit union of Ishwarganj upazila.

Salim was examined by Dr. Syed Hasanul Islam Akash of the city's Pranta diagnostic center. He said that the patient had not undergone any operation after various tests. Two kidneys are fine. It was suspected that there was a cut or wound in the place where the kidney is. Maybe the patient is mentally unbalanced and the wound or cut is due to being tied with something or wearing a belt to restrain him. He has been advised to be admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

Salim suddenly disappeared from home about six months ago. Despite many searches, no trace of him was found. The family identified Milton Samader's Child And Age Care Center in Dhaka after seeing a photo on social media Facebook. He went to Dhaka and was rescued with the help of the police. But after bringing it home, it was suspected that Salim had a big cut on his stomach. The family claimed that Salim was mentally unstable, but there were no cuts on his stomach

The sixth upazila election is going on in the country. In the first phase of this election, elections were held in a total of 139 upazilas, where the lowest average voter turnout in the history of upazila parishad elections was 36.1 percent.

The ruling party Awami League is worried because it could not increase the voter turnout at the center despite various initiatives to increase the competition in the elections, including distribution of leaflets, cancellation of symbols and prohibition of relatives.

Like-minded parties including BNP boycotted all local government elections in the continuation of the last 12th Jatiya Sangsad(JS) elections. As the main opposition party in the political field is not in the election, the people's interest in the election has also decreased. Realizing that, the ruling party Awami League gave up the symbol to increase competition in the elections. Later, to keep the elections free from the influence of Ministers-MPs, relatives were banned. But that didn't work either. Candidates did not obey the instructions.

Earlier, on Wednesday (May 8), elections were held in 139 upazilas of the first phase. Out of this, 22 upazilas are polled by EVM and the rest by ballot paper.

Out of this, a total of 1,635 candidates, including 570 for the post of chairman, 625 for the post of vice chairman and 440 for the post of women vice chairman, contested. Worryingly, despite the strict instructions of the Centre, 8 candidates for the post of chairman, 10 for the post of vice chairman and 10 for women vice chairman have won without any challenger.

It is known that among the five previous upazila parishad elections, the lowest voter turnout in the last 2019 election was a little more than 41 percent. 61 percent in fourth upazila vote in 2014. The first election of the first term of the current government was held in 2009. At that time too, the vote was 67.69 percent.

On the other hand, two elections were held in 1985 and 1990 during the tenure of former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the promoter of the upazila election system. However, even though the exact information of that time is not known, the people concerned said that even then more votes were cast.

This reporter of Barta24.com talked to the responsible leaders of the ruling party about the lower voter turnout in the upazila elections than the national elections.

On the condition of anonymity, they said, the low voter turnout is really worrisome even after our party president, general secretary and other central leaders have tried so hard to make the election competitive! However, if a big party like BNP does not come to the election, the interest of the people also decreases a lot. This is also the case. However, we are trying to increase voter turnout in the next three phases of elections.

However, the general secretary of the party, Obaidul Quader, is reluctant to call the presence of such voters in the election as 'worrisome'. In a press conference called at the Dhanmondi office of Awami League on the evening of the Election Day, whether the voter turnout in the upazila election is less than the national election, he said in response to a journalist's question, "Even the Election Commission has not yet given the account in this regard." About 30-40 percent says, (Election Commission). If it is 30-40 percent, we say it is satisfactory.

Election experts say that the declining voter turnout is an ominous signal for the electoral system of Bangladesh. They urged to find a way out of this now.

They said, where the people of Bangladesh always turn elections into a festival, such a version of the people is not a good sign for democracy. If necessary, by specifying the rate of voter attendance, they also give their opinion in favor of re-election if the vote is less than that.

Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Chairman of the National Election Monitoring Council (JANIPOP), told Barta24.com, "When you know what will happen if you vote, why do you go to vote!" The element of competition cannot be advanced by artificially creating it. Where the country is divided, one side is boycotting elections; another party is thinking that since there is no tough competition in the elections, they are giving more importance to their daily work because it is better for themselves and their families.

When asked to know the way out of the ongoing problems with the elections, he said, "We have to change the election system." The way we are voting, even if 1 vote is counted, there will be no problem in the law. If we fix a percentage there that if 50 percent of the votes are not counted then we have to organize a second time; As long as we do not give any such condition, the election will continue like this.

The responsible leaders of Awami League say that BNP's vote boycott, past arson attacks are also a reason for low voter turnout. Also now that the paddy harvesting season is going on and on the other hand there were storms and rains in various places on the polling day, so many people could not come to vote.

Again, those same leaders admit BNP as a major competitor in the polling field and say that since BNP did not participate in the elections, a large part of the people remained outside the elections. BNP's aversion to elections is also the reason for low votes.

When asked about the reason for the low voter turnout, Awami League's organizing secretary Afzal Hossain told Barta24.com, "There was no harm in the election in this vote." People went to the polling station. The good thing about this election is that there was no murder. It happened peacefully. No one exerted influence. BNP's anti-election campaign, banning people from going to polling stations, definitely has some effect. However, there is no benefit to BNP by doing this. The democratic march will remain intact. I think that all the elections including elections are held on time, this is a step of the democratic process.

Expressing the hope that the voter turnout will increase in the next three phases, he said, "It was raining." Then it was paddy harvesting season. Season is also a matter. As the people all go down during the winter, there is a festival, tea is eaten; there is a festive mood, but it is not in all seasons. Weather, nature, everything depends on voter turnout.

Referring to 'always calling on the people to come to the polling station', the party's relief and social welfare secretary Aminul Islam Amin told Barta24.com, 'Awami League believes that whether the public opinion is verified or the government is changed, it should be through voting. On the other hand, BNP will do politics but will not come to elections that cannot be a right decision.

Local elections are always held under the ruling party. BNP may also resort to fire-petrol bombings like in 2013-14 when going to vote. This is also a reason for low voter turnout. However, there are many other reasons for low voter turnout.

Birds found in Bangladesh are classified as resident and non-resident. Most migratory birds are classified as non-resident.

There are about 712 species of birds in Bangladesh. Among them 320 species are migratory. Some of them fly in winter; some species are year-round.

The second Saturday of May is officially celebrated as World Migratory Bird Day. In that context, the global community, especially biodiversity conservationists, is celebrating today as World Migratory Bird Day. This year's theme is 'Save the insects, save the birds'.

Therefore, it is considered timely to analyze the current trends in bird migration, their dependence on insects and the detrimental effects of widespread pesticide use, particularly overuse of pesticides in commercial agriculture.

In February this year, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) released a landmark report. There was also a cautionary episode on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

The report indicated a nearly 40 percent decline in migratory birds. Climate change, deforestation, poaching have been identified as the main reasons behind this.

The report appeared to be a warning for Bangladesh, which has long been a host country for migratory birds.

Bangladesh is well suited for migratory birds due to its strategic location in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin and its tropical climatic conditions. Bangladesh is considered a habitable place. The nature of Bangladesh is considered to be a very favorable environment and habitat especially for waterfowl and shorebirds.

These birds follow specific routes, known as flyways, between wintering sites for resting and breeding. Bangladesh lies between two major migratory flyways; East-Asian Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway.

According to a study published last year, Tanguar Haor is one of the main wetlands for migratory birds. But many water birds are slowly disappearing from here too.

Numerous news reports have appeared supporting hunting and poaching as a major threat to Bangladesh's migratory birds. Recently, widespread use of pesticides has resulted in food shortages for migratory birds. Therefore, experts feel that this factor should also be recognized as another major threat.

A faculty member of Zoology Department of Dhaka University and Chief Executive Officer of Wild Team Bangladesh Prof. Anwarul Islam said thoughtless application of toxic pesticides and insecticides is responsible for unbalancing the food chain of birds.

Birds eat a variety of foods. It depends on the diet. Birds are classified as frugivores, folivores, herbivores, nectarivores and insectivores. Regardless of their diet, every bird must depend on insects. Insects are the best source of protein. A mother bird needs to feed on insects, at least to raise the young. A variety of invertebrates or arthropods such as flies, bees, snails, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, crabs and moths are among the preferred foods of birds. But insects are declining at a rate of 0.92 percent per year and 8.81 percent per 10 years, causing damage to migratory birds and nature.

Sajeda Begum, Professor of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University, points out that the main reasons for the decline in insect abundance include excessive use of pesticides and toxic fertilizers in agriculture.

As a technical reviewer, she contributed to the preparation of the IUCN Red List of Birds in Bangladesh. She noted that the birds' reproductive cycle could be disrupted by eating insects that survive exposure to pesticides. Chicks can also suffer from acute poisoning.

How do pesticides affect migratory birds arriving in Bangladesh in winter?

Migratory birds usually fly from the North Pole, Siberia, Europe, parts of Asia and the surrounding areas of the Himalayas. Despite Bangladesh not being used as their breeding ground, abundance of insects is important for their health and reproduction.

Migratory birds eat insects as protein, explains Professor Sajeda Begum. After regaining their original habitat they prepare themselves for breeding. At that time they store energy by eating insects. Many migratory birds, especially aquatic species, rely heavily on insects. Insects are an important source of their energy, along with sheltering in swamps and foraging along shores.

Sajeda Begum also said that the toxic pollution of the water body destroys the aquatic insects which eventually affect the migratory birds as well. Everyone needs to be aware that toxic materials from agriculture and industrial areas do not end up in wetlands.

According to a study, lack of proper knowledge among pesticide users is widespread and there is a tendency to overuse pesticides. 17 percent of survey respondents believed that pesticides kill beneficial insects and animals. On the other hand, 6 percent of the respondents believe that the use of pesticides has reduced the number of migratory birds.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says about pesticides, uncontrolled use pollutes water; this can result in damage to beneficial insects. Pesticides contaminate soil, endangering biodiversity and ecosystems.

The good news is that recently the Food and Agriculture Organization has officially issued recommendations on pesticide use regulations. The recommendations were handed over to the Agriculture Extension Department in March this year.

It is now expected that the concerned authorities will strictly implement the recommendations in the interest of public health, environment conservation and biodiversity protection.