The Awami League and the interim government did not collect vaccines from international donor agencies solely to loot money, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sarder Sakawat Hossain Bakul said on Tuesday.
“They wanted to buy vaccines from private individuals. But when that didn’t go their way, they did not buy vaccines at all. That is why a sudden measles outbreak occurred in the country,” the minister said.
Speaking at an event to disburse financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund to underprivileged people in Manohardi Upazila, Narsingdi, the minister said, “Many mothers’ laps have been emptied by measles.”
He said after the current government came to power, it quickly arranged vaccines and launched a vaccination program. “As a result, the measles outbreak has now decreased significantly. I hope it will decrease even more within a week.”
The health minister also said initiatives have already been taken to combat dengue. “We have a large budget to further energise the health system,” he added.
The event was chaired by Upazila Executive Officer MA Muhaimin Al Jihan. Among those present were Manohardi Police Station OC Jahangir Badsha, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sajib Mia, and Upazila BNP Member Secretary Aminur Rahman Sarkar Dolon.
