Why measles vaccines were not imported will be probed and those responsible held to account: State Minister Muhit in Shahbagh

The health ministry is examining why the routine measles vaccination programme was kept suspended during the interim government and why vaccines were not imported in an emergency, State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhit has said. Those responsible will be identified and brought to account, he said.

He made the remarks on Thursday (5 November) answering journalists' questions after an international research event at the Super Specialized Hospital in Shahbagh, Dhaka. A three-member committee has started work to investigate the matter, he said.

The state minister said an unprecedented measles outbreak appeared in the country just 15 days after the government elected by the people's vote took office.

Inquiry found that the national vaccination programme that was due in late 2024 or early 2025 was not conducted by the then government. The ministry did not even keep any vaccine stock for emergency use, according to the report.

Dr Muhit said the people of the country needed to know who took such decisions and why the necessary vaccines were not imported. He said the government did not want to practise blame politics.

He added that the whole process was being examined so that no child loses their life because of negligence by those in charge. A three-member inquiry committee comprising a judge and a specialist doctor is investigating the matter, he said.

Outlining the government's steps to tackle the vaccine crisis, the state minister said vaccines were collected urgently from domestic and foreign sources immediately after taking office. About 22 million children were brought under vaccination within just one to two months, through which the situation was brought under control, he said.

At the same event, the state minister also expressed concern over the rising risk of heart disease among young people in the country. He said excessive mental stress, uncontrolled diet, smoking and lack of exercise were causing many to suffer heart attacks at a young age, affecting not only the patient but the whole family.

He said a five-year research project called 'ACROSS-BD', a joint initiative of the United Kingdom, Bangladesh and Pakistan, has begun so that heart patients in remote areas can receive affordable rehabilitation and mental health care at home. Under the project, eight young Bangladeshi doctors and researchers will get the opportunity to do PhDs at international level, he said.

The state minister also called on the media to play a more active role in raising public awareness to prevent non-communicable diseases.