Minister blames past govts in JS for no measles campaign for 5.5 years
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain on Monday blamed the previous governments for the recent surge in measles infections and vaccine shortages, saying no measles-rubella campaign had been conducted for the last five and a half years.
Speaking in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the prolonged gap in vaccination drives, coupled with “short-sighted decisions” on vaccine stockpiling, had left a large number of children vulnerable. However, he added that the current government has launched an emergency vaccination programme from April 5.
The remarks came in response to an urgent public importance notice raised by Rangpur-4 lawmaker Akhtar Hossain during a session presided over by Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal.
Highlighting the situation on the ground, Akhtar Hossain pointed to rising measles infections across the country, a lack of isolation and ICU facilities, and cases of children being infected as early as six months of age.
Campaign gap, supply crisis
The health minister said measles-rubella campaigns are typically scheduled every four years, but no such drive was conducted over the past five and a half years. This has resulted in a significant number of children missing vaccinations, making them more susceptible to infection.
He further alleged that delays in vaccine procurement and supply – stemming from previous policy decisions – have led to shortages of at least six essential vaccines, including measles.
Emergency vaccination drive underway
Under directives from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, an emergency vaccination campaign has been launched in 18 districts and 30 high-risk upazilas from April 5.
Children aged between six months and five years are being targeted, with a goal of vaccinating 1.2 million in the first phase. On the opening day, around 73,000 children were vaccinated against a target of 76,000 – achieving about 96% coverage in the selected upazilas.
The programme is set to expand to city corporations in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Barishal from April 12, and nationwide from May 3.
Hospital preparedness, low-cost innovation
The minister said isolation wards have been set up in government hospitals across the country, with an additional 250 isolation beds being prepared in Rajshahi.
He also highlighted the introduction of a low-cost oxygen support system developed by icddr,b, which can deliver oxygen to patients’ lungs at a cost of around Tk 300. ICU and ventilator facilities are also being readied, he added.
Concerns over field-level management
In a supplementary question, Akhtar Hossain alleged mismanagement at the field level, claiming that despite budget allocations, patients are not receiving adequate isolation or ICU support.
He also noted that nearly 25% of the health sector budget remains unspent, including around Tk 11,000 crore in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Govt steps to boost supply, oversight
Responding to the concerns, the minister said additional measles vaccines are being procured through UNICEF using Tk 604 crore in unspent COVID-19 funds.
He added that all leave for health workers has been cancelled to strengthen field-level supervision, while coordination with development partners such as the World Bank and UNICEF has been intensified to prevent future shortages.