Dhaka:The government has established a three-member commission to investigate reported irregularities, delays, and administrative failures in the procurement and distribution of measles vaccines, which have adversely affected public health. This action is part of the response to a measles outbreak, with a combined total of confirmed and suspected deaths reaching 1,269 in the country this year.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Cabinet Division issued a notification appointing former High Court Division Justice Mamnoon Rahman as the chairman of the commission. The commission also includes Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) President Prof Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir and Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division ANM Moinul Islam as members.
The commission aims to identify the causes of delays and irregularities in vaccine procurement and distribution, determine the responsibility of the interim government in office from August 8, 2024, to February 17, 2026, and make recommendations to prevent future occurrences. It is empowered to visit any location in Bangladesh and summon individuals for questioning as part of the investigation.
The commission has 60 working days to complete the inquiry and submit its report. The Health Services Division will support the commission by providing necessary secretarial assistance and allocating officials to aid the investigation and meet its expenses.
Meanwhile, in the latest 24-hour reporting period, six additional children died with measles-like symptoms, increasing the suspected measles fatalities to 1,164, with confirmed deaths remaining at 105. During the same period, 1,325 new suspected measles cases were reported, bringing the national total to 234,148 suspected cases, while 77 new confirmed cases raised the number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 24,150. Since March 15, 208,634 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalized, with 199,894 having recovered, as reported by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).