Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing measles outbreak in the country, describing it as a serious public health crisis for children and a direct violation of their fundamental rights to health and life.
According to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a total of 28,334 suspected measles cases have been identified across the country since 15 March 2026. Among them, 4,059 cases have been confirmed.
During the same period, 39 deaths from confirmed measles and 194 deaths from suspected measles have been reported, underscoring the severity of the situation, the rights organisation said in a press statement on Thursday.
MJF noted that while a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting approximately 18 million children aged between six months and under five years began on 20 April, the shortage of testing kits and the long-standing halt in vaccine imports remain deeply concerning.
The prime minister has also acknowledged the issue in Parliament, the foundation said, adding that these limitations may hinder effective prevention efforts.
“It is unacceptable for children to remain at risk from a preventable disease like measles,” MJF said, emphasising that the situation constitutes a violation of children’s fundamental rights to survival, health and protection.
The organisation called upon the State to urgently ensure the availability of vaccines, testing and treatment services, and to take accountable measures to address this crisis.
Ensuring children’s health protection is both a constitutional and moral obligation of the State, MJF believes. It noted that delays in vaccination, inadequate healthcare services and weak monitoring systems are further complicating the outbreak.
MJF has urged the government to take several immediate steps, including ensuring the immediate availability of adequate Measles-Rubella vaccines, rapidly expanding the nationwide vaccination campaign, ensuring the supply of necessary testing kits and prompt diagnosis, providing accessible and quality treatment for affected children, and ensuring transparency and accountability in managing the outbreak.
“Protecting children’s lives and health must be a top national priority,” the foundation said, adding that it stands ready to support awareness efforts alongside the government and calls for ensuring a safe and healthy future for all children.
