Amid alarming spread of measles due to non-availability of vaccines thus affecting thousands of children in Bangladesh, which is rapidly evolving into a public health emergency—co-chair of Jatiya Party, Sahidur Rahman Tapa has expressed grave concern and called for national unity in immediately addressing the crisis by importing required vaccine from any available source.

According to media reports, during recent weeks, hospitals Dhaka city as well as districts are seeing growing number of children (mostly below 18 months age) with measles infection.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed two senior ministers to travel across the South Asian nation of 170 million people to assess the scale of the crisis and coordinate response efforts, according to a statement from the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases known, spreading through coughing, sneezing, or even brief contact with an infected individual. For children—especially those under five—the consequences can be devastating, leading to pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death.

It was reported in the media that following ouster of Awami League government in August 2024, the interim regime headed by Muhammad Yunus did not buy any vaccine for measles, while the health sector was turned into an epicenter of rampant corruption and loot. Yunus made his Grameen Bank colleague Nurjahan Begum the head of the health ministry, while following assuming the position, aides of Nurjahan began looting billions of takas.

As the situation continues to worsen Jatiya Party co-chair and philanthropist Shahidur Rahman Tapa through a video statement posted on Facebook has expressed grave concern over what he described as a “serious lapse in the country’s measles vaccination efforts”.

In the video message, Tapa criticized past administrations, alleging prolonged negligence in ensuring routine immunization for children. He claimed that for nearly eight years, children across the country had not been adequately vaccinated against measles, calling the situation a grave failure that has now put countless young lives at risk.

Sahidur Rahman Tapa urged citizens from all sectors-regardless of political affiliation-to unite in addressing the crisis. He emphasized that safeguarding children’s health is a shared responsibility and called on the public, professionals, and policymakers to support efforts to procure vaccines and implement an effective nationwide immunization campaign. He also stressed the need for accountability, arguing that those responsible for lapses in healthcare delivery should be held answerable.

The concern comes as the newly formed government begins to take steps to address the outbreak. Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul recently acknowledged the severity of the situation during the inauguration of the International Pharmaceutical Industry Fair held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. He stated that no measles vaccines had been administered in the country for several years and announced that the government has allocated approximately 604 crore taka to combat the outbreak. According to the minister, efforts are already underway to procure vaccines on an urgent basis.

Public health guidelines in Bangladesh recommend that children receive their first dose of the measles vaccine at nine months of age and a second dose at 15 months. Additionally, supplementary immunization campaigns typically target children aged between nine months and ten years. However, health experts believe that gaps in the implementation of these programs in recent years have contributed significantly to the resurgence of the disease.

The outbreak has reportedly spread to at least 12 districts since the beginning of the year. Thousands of children have been infected, with dozens of fatalities reported. The situation is particularly severe in densely populated urban slums in Dhaka and in the Rohingya refugee camps located in Cox’s Bazar, where living conditions and limited healthcare access have accelerated the spread of the virus.

Hospitals are struggling to cope with the surge in patients. At the Mohakhali Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka, the number of admitted patients has far exceeded available bed capacity. Most of those affected are children, many of whom are in critical condition, highlighting the urgency of the crisis.

In response, authorities have taken emergency measures, including preparing intensive care units (ICUs) and ensuring the availability of ventilators in key hospitals. Facilities such as Dhaka Medical College Hospital have been placed on high alert, while additional medical equipment, including ventilators, is being supplied to regional hospitals like Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Health experts warn that without immediate and large-scale vaccination efforts, the outbreak could worsen significantly. They stress the importance of raising public awareness among parents and guardians and implementing a coordinated national immunization drive. As the country confronts this growing health emergency, many believe that swift and decisive action will be critical to preventing further loss of life and restoring confidence in the healthcare system.

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