Allocation of Tk 6.04 billion for measles vaccine procurement: Health Minister

The Health Minister, Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, has announced that the government has allocated Tk 604 crore for the procurement of measles vaccines in response to a recent surge in infections across the country.

He made the disclosure on Sunday (29 March) while speaking at the inauguration of an international pharmaceutical exhibition held at the Bangladesh–China Friendship Conference Centre in Purbachal, Dhaka.

According to the minister, the renewed allocation is aimed at strengthening the national immunisation programme and addressing gaps in vaccine coverage that, he claimed, had developed over the past several years. He stated that interruptions in vaccination efforts had contributed to the recent increase in measles cases, prompting urgent intervention by the authorities.

Emergency health response measures

Alongside the large-scale vaccine procurement plan, the government has also introduced a series of emergency healthcare measures to manage the growing number of infections. The minister confirmed that five ventilators have been arranged through private initiatives, of which four will be deployed in Rajshahi, an area currently reporting a higher concentration of cases.

In addition, intensive care unit (ICU) facilities have been readied at several major hospitals in the capital and other key locations. These include specialised arrangements for paediatric patients, as measles has been particularly affecting children.

The minister further emphasised that coordination between public hospitals and emergency units has been strengthened to ensure adequate response capacity in the event of further escalation.

Institutional preparedness

Healthcare authorities have activated contingency plans across major medical facilities, including Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital, and designated intensive care units within the capital.

Officials stated that paediatric emergency wards and ICU beds have been placed on standby, while monitoring of measles cases has been intensified nationwide.

Key allocations and response overview

Attendance at the event

The programme was attended by several senior officials, including the State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, senior bureaucrats of the ministry, representatives of the Export Promotion Bureau, and senior officials of the Directorate General of Drug Administration.

Health experts have welcomed the allocation as a necessary step to curb the outbreak, stressing that sustained immunisation coverage and timely vaccination campaigns are essential to preventing further spread of measles, particularly among vulnerable children.