The government has reallocated Tk604 crore from unused pandemic funds and secured 2.19 crore measles vaccine doses with international support to tackle the ongoing outbreak, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain told Parliament on Wednesday.
Responding to a call attention notice by lawmaker Rumeen Farhana, the minister said the government has launched emergency measures, including a nationwide vaccination drive and urgent procurement of vaccines to replenish depleted stocks.
He noted that “The reallocated Tk604 crore comes from unused Asian Development Bank pandemic funds. In addition, 21.9 million doses have been secured through Gavi support, while procurement worth another Tk419 crore is in its final stages.”
“To ensure efficiency and transparency, the government is bypassing traditional tenders and procuring vaccines directly through UNICEF” he added.
The minister confirmed “41 deaths have been officially verified by WHO and UNICEF as directly caused by measles.”
He mentions, the vaccination campaign began on 5 April in high-risk areas. It will expand to Dhaka North and South city corporations and other major urban centres from 12 April.
“Although Dhaka was not initially classified as a high-risk zone by international partners, the government has taken proactive measures to include the capital in the campaign” he added.
Health minister acknowledged “The current administration inherited a near-zero vaccine stock due to previous mismanagement.”
He detailed urgent financial measures and supply chain restoration plans, including a shift to multi-dose vials to improve storage efficiency in line with WHO cold chain standards.
The minister also addressed workforce shortages, stating that outstanding salaries for field-level health workers will be cleared within days to ensure the vaccination drive proceeds effectively.
Rumeen Farhana had raised concerns over higher fatalities and warned of long-term immune suppression risks in children. She also cited shortages of several routine vaccines.
In response, the minister assured Parliament that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the situation is under control. “Vaccine stocks are stabilising, and we are moving forward with full preparedness to protect children’s health,” he said.
