Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said over 4 lakh additional children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella beyond the government’s target.
He made the remarks after formally receiving emergency medical supplies provided by the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies at the ministry's secretariat office on Saturday.
IFRC handed over 11 ventilator sets, 27 nebulizer machines, 27 oxygen flow meters, and 100,000 saline bags to the minister. The organization is also providing a total of Taka 2.4 crore to 2,400 patients, giving each patient Tk 10,000.
Sakhawat Hossain said the government's initial target was to bring 18,015,064 children under vaccination coverage. "As of May 20, we have vaccinated 18,431,149 children which is 2% higher than the set target," he mentioned.
Referring to the statistics, he said that achieving 100% perfect statistics in such a large-scale operation is difficult even in many developed countries.
However, he credited the success to the tireless efforts of field-level workers.
The minister clearly stated that although the special campaign officially ended on May 20, the vaccination program would not stop under any circumstances.
Last Thursday, the minister held a virtual meeting with all civil surgeons, hospital directors, and supervisors across the country. From May 21, a new phase of the vaccination campaign has begun.
"Until the very last child in the country is brought under vaccination coverage, vaccination drives and public announcements through loudspeakers will continue. This has now become a regular and ongoing process,” he continued.
Expressing deep sorrow over the recent deaths of five children from measles in Sylhet, Hossain said, “I spoke directly with the civil surgeon and the director in Sylhet. Sadly, almost none of the deceased children had received vaccines. These children, aged six months, nine months, and one year, were outside vaccination coverage.”
When journalists asked whether the government would form an investigation committee regarding negligence over measles vaccination, he replied, “We are all trying to save our children rather than focusing on judgment right now,” he concluded.
