The Democratic Rights Committee made several recommendations to deal with the measles situation
The Democratic Rights Committee has called for quick and coordinated action on the current measles situation in the country as the highest priority. This organization comprising of citizens of various levels including left-wing teachers, doctors, artists, professionals said that the current situation of measles has brought to the fore the weakness of our health system and the deficiency of vaccination programs. If no effective measures are taken now, the situation may worsen.
These things were said in a statement sent by the Democratic Rights Committee to the media on Saturday. Committee members Anu Muhammad, Haroon-or-Rashid, Kazi Rakibul Islam, Jaideep Bhattacharya, Nazmus Saqib and Sajib Tanvir sent the statement on behalf of the organization regarding this public health emergency.
"Lack of vaccine procurement by the previous interim government, bureaucratic red tape, institutional neglect of public health, etc. led to the measles epidemic and undermined the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)," the statement said. Those responsible for preventable child deaths should be identified and punished.
The current measles situation is not only a health problem but a serious public health crisis, the statement said, citing the prevalence of measles to such an extent that previously vaccinated infants and children under 9 months of age are also being infected. These deaths could have been prevented if effective measures had been taken in time.
The Democratic Rights Committee has highlighted several urgent demands and actions in the statement in consultation with public health and paediatrics experts. These include—prioritizing children in vulnerable areas (densely populated, remote areas) and marginalized communities in immunization programs and ensuring adequate supply of vaccines; Strengthening health care system from upazila to central level for early detection and treatment of affected children; Establishing a special 'measles corner' or infectious disease corner in every hospital and ensuring supply of essential medicines and vitamins.
Apart from this, launching effective public awareness programs to counter existing misconceptions and rumors about vaccination; Establishing strong disease surveillance systems and public health emergency operations centers; Enhancing nutritional and vitamin activities; strengthening breastfeeding and nutrition programs; reactivation of measles eradication strategies; strengthening the vaccine supply chain; restoring the vaccine production capacity of the Institute of Public Health; It has been demanded to launch Standing Order on Public Health Emergency to deal with the health crisis and to speed up the full operation of the children's hospitals built in six departments.
