Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has blamed the recent measles outbreak and child deaths on failures by the ousted Awami League government and the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration.
He said the lack of measles vaccinations for children under the two successive governments amounted to an “unforgivable, life-threatening failure”.
“We must all remain vigilant so that such incidents are never repeated in the future,” he said.
The prime minister was speaking on Saturday at the ‘Upazila Health and Family Planning Officers Conference 2026’ at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, his first direct meeting with upazila-level health officials.
The remarks came as the country reported four more deaths linked to measles symptoms in the past 24 hours.
Health authorities also identified 1,028 new suspected cases nationwide during the same period, with 86 infections confirmed through laboratory testing.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services, the cases were recorded between 8am on Friday and 8am on Saturday.
Since 15 March, a total of 22,409 suspected measles cases have been reported across the country, of which 3,278 have been laboratory confirmed.
Questions have emerged over vaccine procurement and coverage during the interim government period, with reports of delays in purchasing and administering measles vaccines.
The prime minister expressed condolences to families who have lost children.
“Parents have suffered due to the negligence of the previous two governments, and as head of government I have conveyed my sincere apologies,” he said.
He added that the current administration had launched an emergency nationwide vaccination drive after taking office, which helped prevent a further deterioration of the situation.
He also praised doctors and health workers for their role in responding to the outbreak.
The prime minister also pledged to reform what he described as a Dhaka-centric healthcare system, saying services must be expanded beyond the capital to ensure equitable access.
“Healthcare in the country has long been centred on the capital, from specialist doctors to advanced laboratories,” he said.
He said reducing disparities between urban and rural healthcare remains a key priority for the government.
“The government is working to ensure advanced treatment through district- and upazila-level hospitals,” he added.
Doctors call for epidemic declaration
Meanwhile, a platform of physicians has called for the ongoing measles situation to be officially declared an epidemic and for urgent, coordinated action.
Doctors Platform for People’s Health said the current outbreak is not only a serious public health crisis but also highlights systemic weaknesses in the healthcare system and gaps in vaccination coverage.
The demand was made at a press conference titled “Child deaths from measles: what needs to be done in a public health emergency”, held on Saturday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium in Segunbagicha.
The event was chaired by the platform’s convenor and former Bangladesh Medical Association president Rashid-e-Mahbub, with member secretary Shakil Akhtar moderating.
Public health expert Mushtaq Husain presented the keynote.
He said the government has already taken several steps to contain the outbreak, including cancelling doctors’ leave, ensuring uninterrupted services and recruiting additional medical staff.
“All necessary measures to tackle an epidemic are being implemented, but it has not yet been formally declared,” he said.
He warned that it could take between one and one-and-a-half months for the upward trend in measles cases to stabilise.
“Without effective action now, the situation could worsen further,” he added.
