Dr Zahid calls for awareness to control measles outbreak

Minister for Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Dr AZM Zahid on Thursday called for stronger public awareness to contain the ongoing measles outbreak in Bangladesh, stressing that panic and misinformation should be avoided while vaccination efforts continue nationwide.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Measles outbreak across the country: Duty of Doctors, Nurses and Mass Awareness” held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.

Dr Zahid said measles was once a common childhood illness in almost every household and urged people not to create unnecessary fear over the current situation. Instead, he emphasised strengthening awareness campaigns alongside ongoing immunisation programmes.

He noted that other infectious diseases such as dengue and malaria have also changed patterns over time, adding that measles cases are now appearing in a more severe form compared to previous decades. He linked this to declining immunity levels and nutritional challenges in society.

Despite concerns, the minister said the government’s vaccination and awareness drives were helping reduce the severity of infections. He added that sustained efforts are expected to further bring down cases in the coming weeks.

Dr Zahid also praised ongoing government initiatives aimed at protecting women and children and reiterated a “zero tolerance” approach to violence against them. He stressed that ensuring the rights and safety of women and children remains a key priority of the current administration.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain was present as the special guest at the seminar with Chairman of the Governing Body of Bangladesh Child Hospital and Institute Dr AKM Azizul Haque in the chair.

Director of Bangladesh Child Hospital and Institute Dr Mirza Md Ziaul Islam presented keynote paper while Principle of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital Dr Musarrat Sultana Sumi and Head of the Child Disease Department of Ashulia Women and Children Hospital presented the notes.

In his speech, Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said the measles vaccination campaign would continue even during Eid holidays, adding that more children had already been vaccinated than initially targeted.

He also claimed that infection rates had dropped significantly in areas where vaccination began earlier in May, saying the government remains optimistic about bringing the outbreak under control soon.