Dhaka, April 1 -- Open defecation has surged in Bangladesh due to a dire shortage of toilets, as revealed in a recent report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics' Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics 2023.

Public health experts are deeply concerned, warning of the grave implications for public health nationwide, as this behavior significantly heightens the risk of various illnesses among the populace.

According to the report, approximately 0.94 percent of families are now engaging in open defecation, a notable increase from 0.77 percent recorded in 2022.

Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq, former Adviser of the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized the alarming consequences of this trend, stating, "As the number of people engaging in...