Responsibility for child deaths from measles is mine: Health Minister

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has taken the responsibility for the deaths of children from measles on his own shoulders. He said the deaths of children from measles are his failure, not of the government. He is continuing efforts to tackle the situation.

He said these words in reply to questions from journalists at the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed four-storey steel building of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute on Monday (November 9).

The Health Minister was the chief guest at the programme. It was presided over by President of the Governing Body of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute Professor A K M Azizul Haque.

At the final stage of the programme a journalist asked the Health Minister whether the responsibility for the deaths of 1,200 children from measles in the last seven months lies with the interim government or the present government. Someone has to take this responsibility.

In reply the Health Minister said, “The responsibility is mine. Hang me. This is my failure. However, I have tried. It is not the failure of my government.”

In reply to criticism regarding the measles vaccine the Health Minister said some people are propagating that this vaccine has been brought from India. However, this information is not correct. Only 8 percent of the vaccine has been brought from India. The remaining vaccine has come from Germany, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Indonesia. These vaccines have been collected at low prices.

He said the measles vaccine used in the country has been tested by the World Health Organization. These vaccines have been supplied by Unicef. Unicef, Gavi and the World Health Organization are recognised institutions in the global supply of vaccines. He also commented that the people of the country would not have kept him alive if child deaths from measles occurred after taking vaccines from any other institution excluding Unicef.

The Health Minister also expressed concern over the tendency of not vaccinating children. He said many have not given or are not giving the measles vaccine to their children. Almost none of those who are currently being infected with measles have taken the vaccine. A large portion of the infected are less than six months old. He has been informed that almost none of the measles patients admitted to a hospital have taken the vaccine.

Earlier on Monday morning the Health Minister inaugurated the ICU, new post-operative ward, e-ticket at the outdoor, QR code and expanded automation system at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR). He also announced an allocation of Tk 50 crore for the development of the hospital.

Sakhawat Hossain said doctors are working with new innovative power in every hospital. Necessary measures will be taken so that doctors can work with honesty and following the zero tolerance policy against corruption.

Calling for better and more tolerant behaviour with patients the Health Minister said the government is working to overhaul the medical system. The government has the goodwill to provide as much allocation as necessary in this regard.