Medical experts on Saturday demanded that those responsible for the deadly measles outbreaks due to vaccine shortages caused by procurement complications be held accountable under the law.
The call came during a roundtable titled “Recent Measles Outbreaks and Way Forward” held at the Shaheed Abu Saeed Convention Centre in Dhaka. The event was organized by the Legal and Health Support Cell for Oppressed Women and Children and attended by prominent physicians, public health specialists, policymakers, journalists, and representatives of international organizations.
The session was moderated by Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, central coordinator of the cell and BNP health affairs secretary.
Participants discussed challenges in controlling the recent outbreak in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need to strengthen vaccination programs, raise public awareness, improve access to healthcare, and take coordinated actions. They also stressed the importance of effective field monitoring and rapid response.
Noting that vaccine program delays have contributed to the outbreak, a speaker called for legal investigations against those responsible if the outbreak has led to child deaths. Participants also praised the efforts of frontline health workers and urged caution to prevent public hardship during future advocacy efforts.
Experts highlighted the need for research into whether the outbreak is driven by new virus mutations and discussed strategies for using social and mass media to increase public awareness. Senior officials from the Directorate General of Health Services attended and contributed recommendations for managing the current situation and preventing future outbreaks.
The roundtable concluded with a decision to inform the Ministry of Health and the government about the key discussion points and recommendations.
Among the attendees were UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed; DG of Health Education Professor Dr. Najmul Hossain; Additional Director General of DGHS Professor Rubina Yasmin; Additional DG of DGHS Professor Dr. Fowara Tasnim,; pediatric specialists Professor Dr. Md. Hanif, Professor Dr. Firoza Begum, Professor Dr. Md. Atiar Rahman, and Professor Dr. Yamin Shahriar Chowdhury; WHO representative Dr. Tohid Islam; UNICEF representative Dr. Hasanuzzaman; and journalists, researchers, and health experts from leading institutions and media outlets.
Participants appreciated the timely initiative and urged organizers to continue such discussions on key health sector issues in the future.