Editorial Policy

Last Updated: August 26, 2025

The Bangladesh Health Alliance (BHA) Editorial Policy outlines our mission to provide patients and families with accurate, trustworthy, and accessible healthcare information. We uphold globally recognized editorial standards to ensure that every piece of content meets the highest levels of medical accuracy, ethical integrity, legal compliance, and digital transparency.

By using our platform, you agree to the principles outlined in this Editorial Policy.

1. Editorial Guidelines

Accuracy

• All medical information is based on credible sources, peer-reviewed research, and official health guidelines (DGHS Bangladesh, WHO, CDC).
• Every article undergoes fact-checking and is updated regularly to reflect the latest healthcare advancements.

Relevance

• Content is strictly related to Healthcare Services, medicine, wellness, and public health, providing meaningful insights for patients, caregivers, and professionals.

Professionalism

• Articles are written in a professional, clear, and patient-friendly tone, avoiding unnecessary jargon.
• Where technical terms are necessary, we provide plain-language explanations.

Plagiarism

• All content is original or properly attributed with references. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.

Patient Privacy

• No personally identifiable patient information is published without explicit consent and full compliance with privacy regulations.
• BHA complies with Bangladesh health privacy laws, the Digital Security Act of Bangladesh, and aligns with international standards (e.g., GDPR/HIPAA) by ensuring data is stored securely, anonymized where possible, and protected against unauthorized access.

2. Content Creation & Authorship

Authorship Roles

• Written by: Professional medical writers, healthcare professionals, or subject-matter experts with extensive experience in health communication. Writers also undergo training in patient-centered communication and BHA’s editorial standards to ensure clarity and impact.
• Edited by: The BHA editorial team ensures clarity, grammar, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity. Editors focus on readability, inclusivity, and alignment with brand tone so that all content is approachable and user-friendly.
• Medically Reviewed by: Certified doctors and members of the BHA Medical Advisory Team rigorously fact-check all material, verifying consistency with clinical guidelines, BM&DC regulations, and international best practices.
• Published by: Bangladesh Health Alliance (BHA), which assumes full responsibility for accuracy, transparency, and ongoing content maintenance. Every published item carries the BHA assurance of trustworthiness.

Conflict of Interest

Authors and reviewers must disclose any financial, professional, or personal interests that could influence objectivity. A formal declaration and review process is maintained to ensure independence from commercial influence. Disclosures are logged and reviewed annually by the Ethics Committee. Where conflicts exist, independent reviewers are appointed. Contributors must confirm adherence to international ethical publishing standards, reinforcing a patient-first communication approach and long-term credibility.

3. Doctor Verification Process

Ensuring the accuracy and legitimacy of medical professionals is one of BHA’s top priorities. Before a doctor’s profile is published on our platform, it passes through a detailed, multi-step verification process designed to protect patients and maintain compliance with national and international standards.

Steps include:

1. Submission of complete details through the Join Page, including credentials, practice information, and supporting documentation.
2. Personal verification of credentials and cross-checking of institutional affiliations by the BHA team.
3. Validation of BM&DC registration numbers against the official database.
4. Drafting of a profile highlighting specialties, qualifications, and professional achievements, then sending it to the doctor for review.
5. Confirmation or corrections provided by the doctor before proceeding.
6. Final approval granted by the editorial oversight team before publication.
7. Periodic re-verification to ensure credentials remain active, current, and compliant.
8. Updates to profiles or removals when disciplinary actions, suspensions, or professional warnings occur.

This comprehensive verification process ensures all listed doctors are licensed, legitimate, transparent, and trusted, giving patients confidence in their chosen healthcare providers.

4. Review & Approval

• Step 1: AI-assisted quality and plagiarism checks quickly identify factual inconsistencies, duplication, or style issues before human review.
• Step 2: Medical peer review by qualified professionals evaluates accuracy, integrity, and compliance with clinical guidelines.
• Step 3: Final editorial approval by senior editors ensures tone, clarity, readability, and adherence to brand standards.

This multi-layered process combines technology with human expertise to deliver reliable, ethical, and patient-friendly content. Each stage is documented and archived for auditing and accountability.

A clear editorial workflow is followed: Submission → Initial Screening → Review → Revision → Approval → Publication → Post-Publication Monitoring. Periodic post-publication audits reassess content quality and identify updates needed to keep material current.

5. Sources & References

We rely only on a carefully selected range of high-quality sources, including:

• Peer-reviewed medical journals, both local and international.
• Government health agencies such as DGHS Bangladesh, WHO, and CDC.
• Reputable international health organizations and NGOs.
• Authoritative textbooks, clinical guidelines, and consensus statements.
• Verified statistical databases and health surveys.

References are cited where appropriate for transparency and accountability. Our editorial team prioritizes the use of the most recent editions of studies and guidelines. When covering evolving areas of medicine, multiple perspectives are included to ensure balanced and unbiased information.

6. Content Updates & Corrections

• Each article displays “Published” and “Last Updated” dates.
• Content is reviewed at least annually, and sooner when guidelines or recommendations change.
• Corrections are made promptly when errors are identified, with a transparent note on the nature and date of the correction.
• A public correction log or Correction Policy is maintained for accountability.
• Proactive content audits identify outdated information on a rolling schedule.
• Fast-changing medical areas trigger accelerated review cycles with input from subject matter experts.
• Issues flagged by users, doctors, or regulators are documented and resolved systematically.

7. Advertising & Sponsorship

• Sponsored content, advertisements, and promotions are clearly labeled.
• Advertising does not influence editorial decisions.
• Editorial independence is strictly protected by separating business and content operations.
• Medical advertising must comply with Advertising Policy; no unverified or misleading claims are allowed.
• Advertisers must submit supporting documentation for claims, reviewed before approval.
• Sponsorships and partnerships are disclosed transparently.
• Sensitive topics such as medications, treatments, or diagnostics undergo heightened scrutiny.
• Readers can report concerns, which are formally reviewed by BHA.

8. Patient-Centered Standards

• Content is written in simple English, often supported by Bangla translations for accessibility.
• Materials are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and patient-friendly, with explanations tailored to Bangladesh while remaining relevant globally.
• Accessibility is prioritized through screen reader compatibility, alt text, and compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
• Content is optimized for readability and mobile use.
• Patient and community feedback informs improvements.
• Collaboration with advocacy groups for people with disabilities and rural communities ensures inclusivity.

9. Recognition & Awards

• BHA has been recognized for excellence in healthcare communication in Bangladesh.
• Awards are listed transparently on relevant About Us and author/editor profiles.
• Recognition serves as both acknowledgment and motivation for continuous improvement in digital health communication.

10. Commitment to Editorial Integrity

All content reflects globally recognized principles of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

• Experience: Written by trained healthcare writers with practical knowledge and cultural context.
• Expertise: Reviewed by certified doctors and subject matter experts.
• Authoritativeness: Published under Bangladesh Health Alliance, a trusted national healthcare directory, recognized for verification processes and compliance with BM&DC standards.
• Trustworthiness: Ensured through transparent sourcing, documented review processes, update logs, and clear disclosures.

BHA benchmarks its practices against international standards for digital health communication to remain a reliable and ethical resource.

11. Governance & Editorial Oversight

BHA maintains an Editorial Board and Ethics Committee that:

• Oversees compliance with BM&DC and national regulations.
• Reviews conflict-of-interest declarations.
• Handles disputes regarding accuracy or ethics.
• Ensures transparency in editorial decision-making.
• Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in content, ensuring representation of women, rural communities, and underserved groups.
• Conducts regular internal or third-party audits to ensure compliance.

12. Patient Safety Disclaimer

All content published by BHA is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always seek advice from qualified healthcare providers for medical conditions or concerns. Online information should never replace in-person consultations, nor should it cause delays or changes in care. In emergencies, patients are advised to contact emergency medical services immediately.

13. Security & Research Integrity

• BHA follows recognized cybersecurity standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 27001) to protect digital systems and sensitive data.
• Security measures include encrypted communication, restricted access, and continuous monitoring.
• Policies address retracted studies or controversial research to prevent misinformation.
• A dedicated review panel evaluates disputed findings before inclusion.

14. Global Benchmarking

• BHA aligns with WHO digital health ethics guidelines and international best practices.
• Editorial policies are benchmarked against global leaders in health information publishing.
• Practices are updated regularly to reflect evolving international standards.

15. Feedback & Public Engagement

We welcome feedback from patients, doctors, and readers.

• Email: contact@bangladeshhealthalliance.com
• Phone: +8801733669486
• Website: bangladeshhealthalliance.com

We also engage with patient councils, medical associations, and civil society groups to strengthen governance and continuous improvement.

Corrections, updates, and improvement requests are managed transparently and promptly. See our Compliance Information page for more details.