6-month vaccine stock to be maintained to avoid shortages: Health minister
The minister also criticised previous governments, saying the country had fallen behind due to their failures and lack of financial preparedness.
Health and Family Welfare minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain today (20 April) said the government will ensure a six-month stock of all essential vaccines to prevent any potential shortages, alongside plans to procure supplies based on 15 months of demand from the next fiscal year.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the nationwide Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign-2026 at Little Angels Seminary near Zinda Park in Narayanganj's Rupganj.
The minister said the government aims to ensure uninterrupted vaccine availability and strengthen immunisation management across the country.
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He also criticised previous governments, saying the country had fallen behind due to their failures and lack of financial preparedness.
However, under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government has launched the measles-rubella vaccination campaign to strengthen child health protection, he added.
Highlighting child nutrition, Sakhawat said medicines alone cannot ensure good health, stressing that breast milk remains the most effective protection against diseases.
He urged mothers to prioritise breastfeeding, noting that many children miss out due to various social and personal reasons.
During the programme, the minister also announced that Rupganj Upazila Health Complex would be upgraded from 50 to 100 beds.
Among others present at the event were Narayanganj-1 lawmaker Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu, Deputy Chief of Mission at United States Embassy in Bangladesh Megan Bouldin, Deputy Representative of Unicef Bangladesh Emmanuelle Abrioux, Deputy Representative of World Health Organization Bangladesh Dr Rajesh Narwal, Director General of Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Raihan Kabir and Civil Surgeon Dr Mashiur Rahman.
Later, the minister visited the Light Fair School vaccination centre in Dhaka's Shahjadpur to observe the campaign activities and speak with guardians.
During the visit, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen, US Special Envoy Charles Harder, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Khan and Unicef Bangladesh Representative Rana Flowers, among others, were present.
