Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain on Friday said the government has launched a nationwide measles vaccination campaign and expressed optimism that the outbreak would be brought under control soon.
“The government has now started a nationwide measles vaccination campaign. Although the programme initially began in 30 upazilas, a full-scale rollout has been underway across the country since April 20. The measles outbreak will be brought under control quickly,” he told journalists during a surprise visit to Munshiganj 250-bed General Hospital.
Referring to the recent surge in measles cases, the minister said no nationwide awareness campaign on measles vaccination had been conducted since December 2020.
“The previous government did not carry out any measles campaign over the past six years. Due to the failure of the previous two governments to ensure children received measles vaccines, the country is now witnessing an outbreak,” he said.
During the visit, the minister also ordered the withdrawal of Munshiganj 250-bed General Hospital Superintendent Dr Ahmad Kabir, Civil Surgeon Dr Kamrul Jomaddar, and Civil Surgeon Office stenotypist Mizanur Rahman for allegedly providing incorrect information to the media.
He said departmental action would be taken against them.
Earlier in the day, the minister attended a meeting on healthcare services in Munshiganj.
