Dhaka:State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhit announced that a three-member inquiry commission has been established to investigate delays, irregularities, and administrative failures in the procurement and distribution of measles and rubella vaccines during the tenure of the interim government.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Muhit stated that extreme administrative negligence and irresponsibility led to the suspension of the routine measles-rubella vaccination program and the failure to import emergency vaccine stocks during the interim government's tenure. The inquiry commission has already commenced its work to identify those responsible and ensure strict accountability.
Dr. Muhit spoke to journalists after a stakeholder meeting on a five-year research project titled "Affordable Cardiac Rehabilitation An Outreach Inter-disciplinary Strategic Study" at the Super Specialized Hospital of Bangladesh Medical University. He expressed strong resentment over the situation, emphasizing the public's right to know who made such irresponsible decisions and why necessary vaccines were not imported in time.
The state minister highlighted the unprecedented measles outbreak that occurred just 15 days after the newly elected government assumed office. An investigation revealed that the national vaccination campaign scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025 was not conducted by the previous government, and no emergency vaccine stock was maintained.
Efforts to address the vaccine shortage were made by collecting vaccines on an emergency basis from various domestic and international sources, resulting in the vaccination coverage of around 2.20 crore children within one to two months, helping to bring the situation under control.
Dr. Muhit also expressed concern over the increasing risk of heart disease among young people in the country due to factors like excessive mental stress, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking, and lack of physical exercise. He announced the launch of a five-year research project titled 'ACROSS-BD', undertaken by the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, aimed at making affordable cardiac rehabilitation and mental health services accessible to heart patients in remote areas.
Under this initiative, eight young physicians and researchers from Bangladesh will have the opportunity to pursue PhD degrees internationally. Dr. Muhit urged the mass media to actively raise public awareness about preventing non-communicable diseases.