Dhaka: Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain on Sunday revealed that both measles vaccination campaigns and Vitamin A capsule distribution for children were halted during the tenure of the interim government. His remarks came during a seminar titled ‘Public Awareness and Prevention are the Best Scientific Measures for Controlling Measles and Dengue,’ organized by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the Jaitya Press Club in the capital.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister emphasized that Vitamin A campaigns, typically conducted twice a year, suffered a significant pause after the first half of last year, leading to a severe shortage of Vitamin A capsules. He mentioned that the government’s current stock is limited, resulting in restricted distribution.
The minister highlighted that payments have been made and UNICEF is expected to supply over 10 million Vitamin A capsules by June 10. He shared optimism about starting full-scale distribution among children once the supply is received in the next five to seven days.
Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain stressed the critical role of maternal nutrition and breastfeeding, urging the medical community to enhance public awareness. He pointed out that insufficient maternal nutrition could lead to the emergence of various diseases in new forms, posing ongoing health threats.
During his visits to hospitals treating measles-infected children, the minister observed that malnutrition significantly contributed to the deteriorating condition of these children, with many suffering from pneumonia due to nutritional deficiencies. He questioned the rise in measles cases among infants aged six to nine months, attributing it to nutritional gaps.
The minister called for coordinated efforts from doctors and the media to increase public awareness about nutrition, isolation, and preventive care to protect children from measles. He emphasized the necessity of public awareness and cleanliness in combating dengue and controlling mosquito breeding.
Additionally, the minister highlighted Bangladesh’s reliance on foreign countries for vaccine supply and expressed hope for establishing a vaccine production unit in Munshiganj. The seminar was presided over by acting DAB President Dr. Md. Abul Kenan.