Thalassemias are emerging as a global public health concern. Due to remarkable success in the reduction of childhood mortality by controlling infectious diseases in developing countries, thalassemias are likely to be a major public health concern in the coming decades in South Asia. Despite the fact that Bangladesh lies in the world’s thalassemia belt, the information on different aspects (epidemiology, clinical course, mortality, complications and treatment outcomes) of thalassemias is lacking. In this comprehensive review, the aim is to to depict the epidemiological aspects of thalassemias, mutation profile and current treatment and management practices in the country by sharing the experience of dealing with 1178 cases over 2009–2014 time periods in a specialized thalassemia treatment centre. We have also discussed the preventative strategies of thalassemias from the context of Bangladesh which could be effective for other developing countries.

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how digital financial inclusion (DFI) can be a potential factor to maintain banking stability in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and whether the relationship could bring a possible implication for the post-Covid-19 pandemic era. Design/methodology/approach Using an unbalanced panel data of 213 banks of 4 ASEAN countries, the study has deployed principal component analysis, ordinary least square, two-step dynamic system generalised method of moments and panel corrected standard errors techniques. Findings The empirical study finds that the full-fledged application of DFI accelerates the ASEAN banking stability which not only decreases the default risk of the banks but also upturns the financial mobility in the region. The results also suggest that ASEAN banks are, with the implementation of DFI, likely to uphold the banking sector stability by reducing liquidity crisis and non-performing loans during and in the post-Covid-19 era. Therefore, accelerating digital finance in ASEAN countries is considered as one of the significant means for the banking sector stability that subsequently leads to economic and financial resilience even in the face of any crises. Originality/value Prevailing studies have mostly investigated the association between financial inclusion and banking stability in different contexts. However, this study is unique to empirically investigate the association between DFI and the ASEAN banking stability.

This paper examines the nexus between digital financial inclusion (DFI) and levels of bank risk-taking, using a sample of 283 commercial banks (Islamic and conventional) from six countries over the period 2011 to 2019 and deploying panel-corrected standard errors, two-stage least squares-instrumental variables and dynamic panel two-step generalized method of moments estimators. The findings suggest that Islamic banks take more risks than their counterpart conventional banks. The empirical evidence also indicates that an increase in the DFI index score reduces the overall level of bank risktaking and increases that of banking stability for commercial and conventional banks compared to Islamic ones. A strong association between DFI and bank risk-taking suggests that DFI not only reduces the default risk, leverage risk and portfolio risk of banks, but also increases financial mobility in the sample countries. Consequently, an inclusive digitalised banking industry ensures sustainable economic growth, which is likely to help maintain financial sustainability in times of crisis such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Our results are shown to be robust by various robustness checks. The study contributes to both the Islamic and conventional banking, as well as the digital financial inclusion, literature. The findings of the study provide various policy implications for policymakers and standard-setters in the countries examined.

Considering the reverberations of financial crisis of 2007–09 that the banking industry terribly witnessed, this paper aims to estimate both the non-bias-corrected and bias-corrected efficiency by employing the data envelopment analysis and Simar–Wilson double bootstrapping regression techniques over the period of 2011–2017 and see how the financial inclusion impacts on Islamic banks. This study finds that most of the countries, except some Asian and Middle-Eastern countries, have inconsistent efficiency trends in Islamic banking sector. It also shows that financial inclusion is significantly allied with Islamic banking efficiency. Eventually, the results propose that Islamic banks are still bearing the consequence of that economic recession and, therefore, bank should focus more on financial inclusion since those banks having sound and inclusive financial environment are seen enjoying higher level of financial efficiency.

Purpose This paper aims to explore the role of digital financial inclusion (DFI) in stabilizing the Islamic banking sector amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This study has used the Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), Two-Stage Panel Least Squares-Instrumental Variables (2SLS-IV) and Two-Step System Generalized Method of Moments (2SGMM) dynamic panel estimation method to investigate the DFI-Islamic banking stability nexus using an unbalanced panel data of 65 Islamic banks from six countries over the period 2011–2020. Findings The result suggests that greater implementation of DFI promotes Islamic banking stability, which reduces the default risk of the banks in the studied region. Consequently, incorporating DFI into the Islamic banking sector encourages inclusive economic growth that can keep the financial sector sustainable even in a crisis period like the current COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value Unlike previous studies, the authors have focused mainly on DFI and the Islamic banking sector. This is one of the first to explore how DFI contribute to the stability and productivity of the Islamic banking sector during the pandemic. Also, this study provides fresh evidence on how the supply and demand side of DFI impact Islamic banking stability.

This paper aims to estimate the efficiency scores of 153 Islamic banks of 32 countries during the period 2011 to 2017 by deploying data envelopment analysis and Simar–Wilson double bootstrapping regression techniques to determine how financial inclusion and its interaction effect with GDP growth impact on Islamic bankingefficiency to promote inclusive sustainable growth. The findings show that the efficiency trends of Islamic banks in most countries have been inconsistent in the aftermath of the global financial crisis; this indicates that the banking industry is still bearing the consequences of that recession. However, Islamic banks in Bangladesh,Malaysia, Mauritia, Qatar, Tunisia, and Sudan are performing efficiently and, in spite of being war-affected countries, Islamic banks in Iraq and Palestine, more interestingly, have also seen an ascending trend in terms of improving their efficiency levels. The results foreground that to improve Islamic banks’ efficiency, financial inclusion (FI) must play a key role. Moreover, the effect of the interaction between FI and GDP growth suggests that FI plays a significant role in sustainable development, which creates a positive relationship between inclusive sustainable growth and the efficiency of Islamic banks. Since research on FI is an ongoing process, this paper contributes to the existing literature and methodology pertinent to the subject by analysing bothnon-bias and bias-corrected efficiency through the utilisation of more recent data from Islamic banks.

In the era of competitiveness, clients or borrowers remain an important asset for financial institutions, as they are the ultimate source of revenue. Although the departure of clients from one microfinance institution (MFI) to another is a common phenomenon, the manner in which organizational characteristics affect turnover is largely unknown in the context of the microfinance industry. Hence, by utilizing recent (2010–18) data on 235 MFIs from the global microfinance industry, this study investigates the factors affecting the borrower turnover rates (BTR) of MFIs by employing conventional panel regression techniques. To overcome endogeneity and ensure robust and dynamic results, the generalized method of moments (GMM) has also been used in this study. The findings reveal that the efficiency‐wage and financial self‐sufficiency of MFIs reduce BTR, while staff turnover rate, write‐off ratio and average loan size increase BTR. Our results remain robust even after controlling for several market and macro‐economic factors. The findings could be utilized to generate several policy implications to reduce borrowers’ turnover.

An innovative approach to the material science has demonstrated that photocatalytic activity may be conferred to cement-based construction materials, such as concrete, mortars, paints, etc. Photocatalyst is needed for a cleaner environment and a better quality of life that leads to thoughts of a more eco-compatable use of light. Addition of photocatalytic materials to the RC structure during its construction phase could reduce the corrosion problem of RC materials. This material hinders calcium oxide to form acidic compound. In this study, cement-based mixed photocatalytic material has been presented, which would adjustable with RC material for enhancing oxidization process and reducing corrosion problem.