A divisional consultation meeting was held in Chattogram to ensure the successful implementation of the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign and to strengthen primary healthcare services.
Joint Secretary of the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, joined the meeting virtually as the chief guest on Wednesday.
He said the government is firmly committed to preventing measles outbreaks in the country, emphasizing that awareness and timely vaccination are the most effective measures to control the disease.
He informed that special vaccination programs have already been launched in 30 upazilas and 13 municipalities across 18 districts to control measles transmission. He added that the nationwide Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign will begin on April 20, targeting all children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
He also stressed the need for stronger field-level healthcare services and instructed that medical officers at the upazila level must remain present at their workplaces regularly to ensure better service delivery.
The meeting was presided over by Divisional Director (Health) of Chattogram, Dr. Sheikh Fazle Rabbi. Among others present were Superintendent of Chattogram 250-bed General Hospital Dr. Md. Ekram Hossain, Civil Surgeon of Chattogram Dr. Jahangir Alam, Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Touhidul Anwar, Assistant Registrar of Pediatric Department of Chattogram Medical College Hospital Dr. Farhana Zerin, and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
Civil surgeons and hospital superintendents from all 10 districts of the Chattogram division joined the meeting virtually and shared their opinions on implementing the campaign.
Experts at the meeting noted that measles is a viral disease that usually resolves on its own within 7 to 10 days. However, they emphasized proper care, including adequate fluid and nutritious food intake for affected children, use of paracetamol when necessary, vitamin A supplementation, and consultation with healthcare providers.
They further advised that children showing severe symptoms such as breathing difficulties, seizures, dehydration, or unconsciousness should be taken to a hospital immediately.
In his presidential remarks, Dr. Sheikh Fazle Rabbi said that widespread immunization helps build herd immunity, which can effectively prevent the spread of measles. He stressed that ensuring full vaccination coverage among children is essential to eliminate the disease.
