Dhaka: Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain expressed optimism that the measles situation will be under control by next week. ‘Measles outbreak has somewhat decreased in the country. Once the nationwide vaccination campaign begins on April 20, the situation will improve further,’ he announced at a press conference in the ministry today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sakhawat assured that there is a sufficient stock of all types of vaccines. The existing supply in rural areas and national reserves will enable vaccination activities to continue smoothly until June. However, he noted a possible slight shortage of 0.05 syringes next month, but measures are already underway to address this issue.
The minister mentioned that syringe supplies are currently in the pipeline, with the shortage expected to be resolved within one and a half months. A partial shipment is anticipated to arrive within the next seven days through UNICEF, with the remaining supplies expected by May.
During the press conference, Sakhawat highlighted the pressure faced by hospitals in Dhaka due to an influx of measles patients from various parts of the country. To manage this, arrangements for measles treatment have been made in all hospitals, and existing manpower shortages have been identified for resolution soon.
Regarding the ongoing vaccination programme, the minister detailed that with support from UNICEF, Gavi, and WHO, a nationwide vaccination campaign has already commenced and will expand on a larger scale starting April 20. Health Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Professor Dr. Pravath Chandra Biswas, and other officials were present at the press conference.