We had no preparation for Measles: Health Minister

Bangladesh’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bokul has said the country had no prior preparation for the sudden outbreak of Measles.

Speaking after inaugurating a training program on the use of bubble CPAP to treat measles-related pneumonia and breathing complications at Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, the minister said the outbreak appeared unexpectedly on Thursday (April 2).

“The measles outbreak came upon us suddenly like lightning, and we had no preparation for it,” he said.

He added that due to negligence and communication gaps within the management of a hospital, several children lost their lives. “I am deeply saddened by this,” the minister said.

Referring to an earlier incident, he noted that there had been a single casualty at the Infectious Diseases Hospital Mohakhali. Authorities visited the hospital at around 1am and were able to address the situation quickly.

According to the minister, an ICU supported by the World Health Organization was activated within 18 hours with doctors and nurses. As a result, no further casualties occurred at that facility.