FE REPORT
Three more children with measles-like symptoms died during 24 hours until Friday, as the situation continues to worsen.
During the period, 947 people were suffering from measles-like symptoms, including 42 confirmed cases, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) bulletin issued on Friday.
The total number of suspected deaths since March 15 has risen to 94, of which nine have been confirmed, health authorities said.
The number of infections during the same period has reached 5,792, including 771 confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, to contain the situation and support a fresh vaccination campaign, the DGHS on Friday cancelled all types of leave for health staff.
Intensive preparations are underway to launch a nationwide special vaccination programme from Sunday.
Earlier, only children aged nine to 15 months were eligible for the measles vaccine.
However, under the special programme, children and adolescents aged between six months and 10 years will now be vaccinated.
Vaccination will begin earlier in areas with a high incidence of measles.
The government is also set to launch an additional campaign outside the routine immunisation programme in response to the rising infections.
The DGHS has cancelled all leave for doctors, officials and employees across the country until the outbreak subsides, reports BSS.
A DGHS Public Relations Officer confirmed that an official order was issued on April 2.
According to the order, signed by DGHS Director (Administration) Professor Dr Jalal Uddin Mohammad Rumi, leave for all categories of staff working under the DGHS and its affiliated institutions has been suspended.
The decision was taken to ensure uninterrupted medical services and facilitate vaccination efforts amid the emergency caused by measles-related pneumonia among children.
An emergency meeting with representatives of frontline health workers was held at the Secretariat on Thursday, following instructions from Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain.
The meeting, chaired by Health Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, was attended by senior officials, including Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof D Prabhat Chandra Biswas and Additional Director General (Administration) Prof Dr Md Zahid Raihan, among others.
Representatives of health inspectors, assistant health inspectors, health assistants, sanitary inspectors, porters and other staff raised long-standing service-related grievances and unmet demands.
Addressing the meeting, the Health Secretary acknowledged their concerns, saying the government is aware of the issues. He noted that the Health Minister has assured that the matters would be considered.
He urged all health workers to work sincerely to ensure the success of the upcoming emergency measles vaccination campaign, stressing that the programme is a national priority.
"The prime minister is aware of your concerns, and steps will be taken for your welfare," he said, adding that legitimate demands would be addressed in due course.
A committee, headed by Prof Dr Md Zahid Raihan, has been formed to examine the demands and submit recommendations within 15 days after consultations.
Health workers thanked the authorities for the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to making the vaccination drive successful.
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