Dhaka - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
The pollution is very very very very bad. There are also heavy metals in the foods and reports of lead poisoning. In the winter the city sets off bug bombs billowing with poisonous chemicals. If you drink the water you will die. Any medical issue will require a flight to Singapore. - Jul 2023
Mosquito-born diseases, except malaria. Food-born disease. Medical care is OK. The health unit can handle minor aches and pains. There are some adequate hospitals. MedEvac is to Singapore or Bangkok. - Dec 2021
Dr Adkins at AISD is great! Otherwise, in normal times, a quick trip to Bangkok for anything more serious. - Sep 2021
The air seems like it will straight-up kill you, no joke. It's the worst in the world during the winter time, and the Bangladeshi government is fairly impotent in to resolve it. Bring a high-quality air-filter mask. Bring a high-quality air cleaner. The Embassy issues four Blue Air filters to each residence at the moment. Bring two to three more, not kidding. Also, see above about sealing your house. The quality of medical care is middling. Will they save you if you are dying? Probably, yes. There is a new clinic that has opened up in Banani called, "Praava." VERY good. - Jun 2019
Pollution is the worst in the world and it is very noticible and detrimental in winter months. Medical care is good if you have access to the expensive private hospitals, but anything serious would require medevac. - Jul 2018
Dengue, chikungunya, flu, chronic respiratory problems, allergies, Nipa, Zika, H1N1, leprosy, tuberculosis, cholera and just about every other gastro-intestinal malady possible are rampant in Dhaka. In all truth, Dhaka is a fetid, densely populated petri dish, cultivating drug-resistant varieties of bugs as yet unknown to science. - Apr 2017
Lots of health concerns. The air is terrible in the winter, when people burn trash for heat, and many people contract a cough that won't go away as a result. Medical care here is not good, and people go to Bangkok or Singapore for any health needs. I've heard that dental care here is decent, although I don't have personal experience with it. The movement restrictions and general unpleasantness of being outside will cause weight gain. Food safety is also a concern. Bring anti-diarrheals, a treadmill, and vitamins. - Jun 2016
Yes. Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases (no malaria in Dhaka), bad pollution. I would never seek medical care here. - May 2016
Yes. Almost every unhealthy aspect of life is here (diseases, all forms of pollution, traffic danger, allergies, political unrest, etc). Some private health care is available, but most people go to Singapore for anything even remotely complicated. - Jun 2015
I would not want medical attention here. Dengue Fever, diarrhea, some respiratory issues, lots of colds/flus, and I have so much dust in my eyes from bad air. - Sep 2014
Medical care at the Embassy is ok. But you will get sick from the food. I got food poisoning three times - from eating in the American Embassy cafeteria. - Aug 2014
Health care here is abysmal. Most expats go to the icddrb which works with CDC; diplomats have Embassy doctors, or go to Singapore. Even the locals go to Singapore when they're really sick. - Jul 2014
None other than mosquito-borne or respiratory stuff previously mentioned. The Embassy has an RMO who can deal with most things, medicines are available locally, and the Embassy arranges medical evacuations to Bangkok or Singapore for anything major. - Aug 2013
Our embassy RMO is very good. Otherwise, medevacs to Singapore. - Apr 2013
Medical care is good at the embassy med clinic. Local hospitals can tend to some common problems, but I wouldn't want to do anything too involved there. I was sent to Singapore for ultrasound and back to US for delivery. Health concerns are principally dengue fever and intestinal issues. - Aug 2011
Food borne diseases are common. Watch what fresh foods you eat. Ice is also a big problem. Embassy has its own medical staff, and are very good about getting you what you need. - Jun 2011
People are constantly ill: mostly respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections, though some come down with dengue and malaria. Medical care here is abysmal - Embassy employees get medevac'd to Singapore even for dental emergencies. - Feb 2011
There are some pretty good hospitals, but if you have an issue they usually send you to Bangkok. - Jan 2011
It is one of the most insalubrious environments we have ever been in. Prepare to be ill regularly because of the poor air and water quality. Even rinsing a toothbrush in tap water is not recommended. - Jan 2011
I rarely used the embassy medical unit, and aside from various stomach ailments, I had few problems during my tour. As stated earlier, the quality of the air and water is very poor. I had various skin blemishes throughout my tour that took two weeks to disappear after I left the country. - Oct 2010
The embassy has a health unit with a medical doctor for embassy families. Three local private hospitals have made many improvements for expats in Dhaka. Gastrointestinal problems are the most common issues for expats. There is no malaria in Dhaka, but we have dengue occasionally. - Apr 2010
Lead in the air, bacteria in the water, improperly prepared food. Many people get hit by stomach problems frequently. More exotic diseases such as dengue fever are not uncommon. The Embassy Med Unit is very good, and local hospitals are rapidly improving. However, serious health issues still require a medevac. - Oct 2009
Lots of stomach and respiratory problems. The Med Unit is great. There are a few hospitals that can tend to minor issues, but larger problems get medevaced. - Aug 2009
There is a regional medical officer. There are also two decent hospitals for basic care. Everything else requires medivac. - Mar 2009
Quality of health care available is fine. The US Embassy has a medical unit with anything you might need for common stuff. There are also practitioners with ancient healing knowledge of varying quality. You should check this out as well. Eirveidic, homeopathic, herbs, Chinese Medicine, etc. - Nov 2008
YES. - Oct 2008
Get all your dental and medical checkups before you come. - Mar 2008
The health concerns are the same as in any other developing country. There are two or three decent hospitals. - Feb 2008
