Monday, 20th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 20th April 2026, 9:18 AM
Health and Family Planning Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has stated that the current situation arising from measles cases does not warrant the declaration of a national emergency.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign in Rupganj, Narayanganj, on Monday (20 April), the minister clarified that the situation should not be classified as an epidemic at this stage. He added that following the first reported child death linked to measles, the government had promptly arranged intensive care unit (ICU) support to manage severe cases.
The minister emphasised that the authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary public health measures, particularly through expanded immunisation efforts aimed at preventing further outbreaks.
He also used the occasion to criticise previous administrations, alleging that their mismanagement had contributed to weaknesses in the healthcare system. According to him, earlier governments had “plundered” various sectors and failed to allocate sufficient funds for healthcare infrastructure, leaving the system under strain. He further remarked that such political conditions should not be allowed to re-emerge in the future.
Highlighting public health concerns beyond measles, the minister drew attention to declining breastfeeding practices. He said that some mothers, influenced by lifestyle choices or work-related pressures, were not adequately breastfeeding their children. This, he warned, is a worrying trend that could weaken children’s immunity and nutritional status. He linked reduced breastfeeding practices to increased vulnerability among children to diseases such as measles, stressing the importance of proper infant nutrition for long-term health outcomes.
On infrastructure development, the minister referred to a proposal from the local Member of Parliament seeking a 100-bed hospital for the Rupganj area. He assured residents that, with the cooperation of the Prime Minister, the government intends to establish a fully functional 100-bed hospital in the region.
| Issue | Statement |
|---|---|
| Measles situation | Not an epidemic; no emergency declared |
| Health response | ICU facilities arranged after first child death |
| Vaccination campaign | MR immunisation programme launched in Rupganj |
| Breastfeeding concerns | Decline in breastfeeding affecting child immunity |
| Infrastructure promise | Plan for 100-bed hospital in Rupganj |
| Political remarks | Criticism of past governments’ healthcare management |
Overall, the minister’s remarks combined reassurance over the current measles situation with a strong
Comments