Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain on Sunday stressed the importance of preventive measures and public awareness in combating the spread of measles and dengue in Bangladesh, saying treatment alone cannot effectively control the diseases.
He made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “Public Awareness and Prevention are the Best Ways to Control Measles and Dengue,” organised by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
The minister said ensuring breastfeeding, proper nutrition, cleanliness, isolation of infected patients and timely vaccination could significantly reduce measles and dengue infections across the country.
“Prevention and awareness must receive greater importance than treatment,” he said, adding that many children are now contracting measles at an earlier age due to malnutrition and lack of breastfeeding.
Sakhawat Hossain warned that complications following measles infections remain a major concern, particularly pneumonia and secondary infections, which in many cases become fatal even after apparent recovery from measles.
He also pointed to disruptions in the national vaccination programme after 2020, saying the country faced a severe shortage of measles vaccines at one stage. According to the minister, the government later arranged emergency vaccine supplies with support from UNICEF and Gavi following directives from the Prime Minister.
Highlighting recent progress, he said a special vaccination campaign launched on 5 April in 30 upazilas across 18 affected districts has helped reduce infections considerably. Similar initiatives have since expanded nationwide, including in four city corporations.
The minister said health workers are now conducting door-to-door efforts to identify children who missed vaccinations, contributing to a gradual decline in measles cases.
At the seminar, keynote papers on measles and dengue prevention were presented by Associate Professor Dr Farhana Haque of Holy Family Hospital and DAB Research Editor Dr Md Sayem respectively.
The programme was chaired by DAB Acting President Professor Dr Md Abul Kenan.
Former DAB Secretary General and Member of Parliament Dr Md Abdus Salam, DAB Secretary General Dr Md Jahirul Islam Shakil and Chief Adviser Professor Dr Farhad Halim Donar, among others, also attended the event as special guests.
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