By Munatjima Tawaddud Khanum, 25, Bangladesh
In Dhaka, the air we breathe is slowly poisoning us. Bangladesh was the world's second most polluted country in 2024, with average air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by more than 15 times, according to data compiled by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir.
As a medical student, I’ve seen what toxic air does to a child’s lungs—and I can no longer stay silent. In winter, when Dhaka’s Air Quality Index (AQI) often reaches hazardous levels, the rise in respiratory illness is stark. In January 2025, the average AQI hit 318—a nine-year high. Children are especially at risk: exposure during key growth stages can cause lasting damage, including reduced lung function, asthma, and chronic bronchitis.
I am Muntajima, a final-year medical student living in Dhaka—a densely populated city with few green spaces and heavy pollution from motor vehicles, construction sites and other sources, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of air pollution on the people, especially the children. That’s why I believe advocating for clean air is not just about the environment; it’s a critical step toward protecting public health and building a healthier future for all of us.
As a medical student in Bangladesh, I’ve seen firsthand how air pollution worsens respiratory diseases, especially in winter, when the Air Quality Index reaches hazardous levels. Clean air is not a luxury; it’s a fundamental human right. With lives and futures at stake, now is the time for bold, collective action.
Munatjima Tawaddud Khanum, 25, Bangladesh
To fight back, I launched Project Green Hospital—an initiative to reintroduce nature into clinical spaces by planting trees around hospital grounds and greening medical college campuses. In addition to this, I contributed to the policy on climate change and air pollution within my National Member Organization, an active member of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), to ensure a more structured and long-term response to the air pollution crisis. I have also worked with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to educate the public on the health impacts of air pollution and the importance of green spaces. As a part of our collaboration, we launched nationwide initiative to plant trees in medical college campuses across the country in an effort to reduced campus pollution and raise awareness about environment among medical students. Through these efforts, I have focused on empowering and mobilizing communities to become active participants in the movement for a cleaner environment and a healthier, more breathable Dhaka.
I believe that clean air is not a luxury; rather, it is a fundamental human right. Given the scale and severity of its impact on health, development, and societal progress, it is more crucial than ever for us to act decisively. As healthcare professionals and citizens, we have a responsibility to lead the call for change —especially for children who cannot always speak for themselves. It’s time the global community recognizes air pollution as a critical public health issue and acts with the urgency it deserves.
