Health Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury has stated that an investigation is currently underway to identify the causes behind the ongoing measles outbreak, child fatalities, and the mismanagement within the health administration.
He emphasised that the state holds responsibility for every child death caused by measles and insisted that such incidents require thorough investigation.
The Secretary made these remarks as the chief guest at a roundtable discussion titled ‘Measles Outbreak and the Way Out’ on 9 Saturday, May. The event, held at Milton Hall of Bangladesh Medical University in the capital, was organised by the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF).
“The incidents of child deaths from measles are being investigated. Once the investigation report is prepared, it will be made public,” the Secretary said. He added, “The state has a responsibility. Every incident needs to be investigated.”
However, the Secretary did not provide specific details regarding the number of committee members or the expected date for the report’s publication.
When asked if there were plans to close schools due to the measles outbreak, the Secretary clarified that the government is not considering any such measures at this time.
Additionally, he informed the gathering that there are plans to gradually develop the urban health centres of the City Corporations into primary healthcare centres.
