UNICEF sent seven reminders for Measles vaccines: Health Minister

Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain has said that UNICEF sent seven reminders to previous administrations regarding the procurement of measles vaccines, but no effective action was taken at the time.

Speaking to journalists on Monday (May 25) after visiting Cumilla Medical College Hospital and Cumilla Sadar Hospital, the minister alleged that both the previous Awami League government and the caretaker administration ignored repeated reminders from UNICEF over the growing need for measles vaccines.

“They did not procure the vaccines despite receiving seven reminders. Instead, there were attempts to purchase them privately for financial gain,” the minister said, adding that the current government took immediate action after learning about the issue.

He said the country’s measles vaccination campaign has already achieved 122 percent of its target, with more than 20 million children vaccinated so far.

According to the minister, measles infection rates in the first 18 upazilas where vaccination campaigns were launched have now dropped close to zero.

“We do not want any mother to lose her child to measles,” he said.

The health minister visited the two hospitals in Cumilla to assess whether emergency medical services ahead of Eid-ul-Azha were functioning properly. During the visit, he reviewed healthcare facilities, listened to complaints from patients, and inspected the quality of hospital food and overall services.

Senior officials from the health department, including Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Mu. Reza Hasan, City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu, and Civil Surgeon Dr. Ali Nur Mohammad Bashir, were present during the inspection.