Over 20 Million Children Brought Under Measles Vaccination Coverage: Health Minister

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has said that more than 20 million children across the country have been brought under vaccination coverage. He noted that the measles immunization programme has achieved a coverage rate of 122 percent.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after inspecting Cumilla Sadar General Hospital this afternoon.

The minister said that the measles vaccination campaign was conducted in 18 upazilas in the first phase, where infection rates have significantly declined. He added that the government’s main goal is to ensure 100 percent vaccination coverage for children as quickly as possible to protect them from preventable diseases.

Earlier in the morning, the Health Minister visited Cumilla Sadar General Hospital and Cumilla Medical College Hospital. During the visit, he reviewed emergency medical services, patient management, and medicine supply systems ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

He also toured different wards, spoke with patients, and inspected the quality of hospital food.

District officials and political leaders were present during the visit, including Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Reza Hasan, Acting Director of Cumilla Medical College Hospital Dr. Shah Jahan, Assistant Director Dr. Nishat Sultana, Head of Pediatrics Dr. Mia Manzur Ahmed, Additional Superintendent of Police Saiful Malek, Cumilla Metropolitan BNP President Utbatul Bari Abu, and Cumilla South District BNP General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Mahmud Wasim, among others.