Eid holiday cancelled for doctors, nurses treating measles patients

The government has cancelled the Eid holidays for doctors and nurses responsible for treating measles patients and providing emergency healthcare services, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has said.

The minister was speaking to journalists after an event at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Secretariat on Saturday, May 23.

Responding to questions about whether treatment for children hospitalised with measles would continue during Eid, the minister said, "They will remain, insha Allah. We have already issued a circular. No doctor or nurse will be on leave for measles patients and emergency healthcare services. They must remain on duty."

The minister also spoke about vaccination. He said even after receiving the vaccine, it cannot be guaranteed with 100 per cent certainty that someone will not be infected with measles. If the immune system is weak or the viral load is high, the risk of infection remains.

He advised avoiding crowds with children during Eid. "It is better not to take infected children to relatives' homes. Measles is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through contact and respiration," he said.

Experts fear that bus and train travel, visiting relatives' homes, and unrestricted mingling during Eid could further increase measles transmission, the minister added, urging everyone to remain vigilant.