The government has immunised more than two crore children under a nationwide measles vaccination campaign launched in response to a recent outbreak, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Cumilla General Hospital, the minister described the campaign as highly successful, noting that it had reached 122 percent of its initial target.
He added that infection rates have fallen markedly in the first 18 upazilas where the programme was rolled out.
The government is now aiming to achieve full vaccination coverage for children across the country as quickly as possible, he said.
Addressing calls for an independent investigation by the World Health Organization into child deaths linked to measles, Sakhawat Husain said accountability alone would not resolve the crisis.
“Our priority is to ensure proper treatment for affected children and to prevent any mother from experiencing the loss of a child in the future,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the minister inspected emergency healthcare services at Cumilla Sadar General Hospital and Cumilla Medical College Hospital ahead of Eid ul Azha.
He reviewed patient care, medicine supplies and overall preparedness, toured several wards, spoke with patients and checked the quality of meals provided.
Local officials accompanying the minister included Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md Rezaul Hasan, Acting Director of Cumilla Medical College Hospital Dr Shah Jahan, Assistant Director Dr Nishat Sultana, Head of Pediatrics Moyna Monjur Ahmed and Additional Superintendent of Police Saiful Malik.
