A special nationwide vaccination campaign will begin on 25 September to tackle measles infections across the country, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain announced on Thursday.
The minister said most of the required vaccines have already arrived in Bangladesh through UNICEF, while the remaining supply is scheduled to reach the country by 17 September.
Sakhawat made these remarks following a seminar marking World Suicide Prevention Day at the University Women’s Federation in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
The event was jointly organised by the Association for Disabled People (ADP) and Rotary Club Ahsan Manzil.
Detailing the government’s immunisation efforts, the health minister explained that mop-up operations are conducted whenever infections persist after a primary vaccination drive. Under this activity, an additional 14 lakh (1.4 million) children have newly received the measles vaccine.
He noted that the previous administration had left no vaccine stock in the country, but the current government procured vaccines for 1 crore 85 lakh (18.5 million) children within just 21 days and completed the immunisation drive.
On dengue management, Sakhawat highlighted steps taken to reinforce medical services in peripheral hospitals to reduce patient pressure on Dhaka facilities. Isolation beds have been kept prepared in every hospital alongside provisions for mobile hospitals.
To ensure patients receive essential care at the upazila level and lessen the burden on tertiary hospitals, coordination and necessary directives have been provided to upazila-level doctors through the Society of Medicine.
Reaffirming public accountability, Sakhawat remarked, “We have been elected by the vote of the people. We have accountability to the people. Therefore, we are trying our utmost for the health protection of the people.”
