Measles will be under control by next week: Health minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain hoped the measles situation will come under control by next week.

"Measles outbreak has somewhat decreased in the country. Once the nationwide vaccination campaign begins on 20 April, the situation will improve further," he told at a press conference at the ministry today (17 April).

Sakhawat said there is sufficient stock of all types of vaccines. Existing supply in rural areas and national reserves will allow vaccination activities to continue smoothly up to June, he said.

However, there may be a slight shortage of 0.05 syringe in the next month, and steps are already being taken to address it, he said.

The minister said supply of syringe is currently in the pipeline, and the shortage will be resolved within one and a half months.

A partial shipment will arrive within the next seven days through UNICEF, with the remaining supplies expected by May.

At the press conference, he also noted that hospitals in Dhaka are under some pressure due to the influx of measles patients from different parts of the country. 

To address the situation, he said, arrangements for measles treatment have been taken in all hospitals. Existing manpower shortages have been identified and will be resolved soon, he said.

Regarding the ongoing vaccination programme, the minister said with support from UNICEF, Gavi, and WHO, a nationwide vaccination campaign has already begun and will expand on a larger scale from 20 April.

Health Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Professor Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas, and other officials were present.