Dhaka: Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has announced the allocation of an additional Tk 604 crore by the government for the procurement of vaccines to combat the recent rise in measles cases.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister highlighted that no measles vaccination campaigns have been conducted by any government over the past eight years, which has contributed to the current surge in infections. He made these remarks during the inauguration of the 17th Asia Pharma Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal.
The minister reported that measles cases have surged in various parts of the country over the past 15 days. However, he reassured the public that the government is equipped to handle the situation, with patients receiving treatment in infectious disease hospitals. A dedicated measles corner has also been established at the DNCC Hospital.
To further support the efforts, five ventilators have been secured through private donations, with four scheduled to be dispatched to Rajshahi tomorrow.
Reaffirming the government’s position, Sakhawat Hossain stated that any irregularities or corruption in the health sector will not be tolerated. He underscored the importance of collective efforts to tackle current challenges and ensure quality healthcare services for the population.
Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury emphasized that the expo is not just an exhibition but a step forward for Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry. He noted that after independence, the country could only fulfill 20 percent of its domestic medicine demand, with the rest being imported. Currently, about 98 percent of the country’s demand is met through local production, with Bangladesh exporting medicines to 157 countries worldwide.
President of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, Abdul Muktadir, stated that the country exports approximately US$300 million worth of medicines globally, playing a significant role in the global pharmaceutical sector. He highlighted the need for policy support to further advance the industry, particularly in API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) production.
Muktadir also mentioned that Bangladesh aims to compete with countries like India and China in the pharmaceutical sector, though ongoing global conflicts have presented challenges. Nonetheless, the country continues to provide medicines at comparatively lower prices than neighboring countries.
The three-day expo saw participation from over 400 companies from more than 20 countries, including Denmark, Thailand, USA, UK, Italy, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Ireland, and India.