News Flash
DHAKA, April 12, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam today said that the government has taken prompt measures to control the outbreak of measles.
He said this while inaugurating a measles-rubella vaccination campaign under the Rural Society Development Programme in Ward No. 13 of Shantinagar in the capital.
As part of a nationwide immunization campaign to prevent measles and rubella, vaccination activities began today in four city corporations, including the two city corporations in Dhaka.
Speaking to journalists at the inaugural event, Dr Rafiqul Islam said that although public concern over measles has increased, the government has taken swift action. At the same time, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has also undertaken various initiatives since the outbreak began.
"We visited Rajshahi Medical College Hospital to observe the situation firsthand and held a roundtable discussion with experts from home and abroad. The recommendations from that meeting have been conveyed to the government," he added.
Regarding the causes behind the rise in measles cases, he mentioned that disruptions in vaccination programs during the previous government contributed to the current situation. In this context, the current government has launched the mass immunization campaign.
The campaign began on April 5 in high-risk districts and will continue across the country in phases until May 11. In Dhaka South City Corporation, around 450,000 children will be brought under this program. The activities are being carried out through 450 permanent and temporary vaccination centers in the area.
Dr. Rafiqul Islam urged parents to ensure vaccination of their children to make the campaign successful.
BNP Assistant Health Affairs Secretary Prof Dr Nazrul Islam, Deputy Director of the Directorate General of Health Services Dr S A Shafi, Assistant Director Dr Md Nurul Haque and other concerned officials were present.
