Swapan Kumar singh :

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has said that any decision regarding an investigation into alleged irregularities or mismanagement in vaccine distribution will be taken centrally after the current public health crisis is brought under control.
He made the remarks on Wednesday (13 May) while responding to journalists’ questions at a press briefing. Reporters raised concerns over vaccine supply, the current child health situation, and complications arising from infectious diseases.
The minister said that the government’s immediate priority is to manage the ongoing health crisis and ensure the survival and treatment of children. He emphasized that addressing the emergency situation is more important than assigning blame at this stage.
He further noted that pneumonia risk often increases following measles infections, adding that necessary medical arrangements have been strengthened for managing critical patients. According to him, isolation facilities, ICU support, and advanced treatment services for measles patients are currently in place.
The minister also said that ventilation support has been expanded to manage severe complications, particularly cases involving pneumonia-related respiratory distress.
He informed that vaccine supply and distribution activities are ongoing, with doses being collected from multiple sources and distributed as required. In addition, polio and anti-rabies vaccination programmes have already been launched.
Sakhawat Hossain particularly mentioned that children who have missed or remain outside the vaccination coverage are being identified and brought under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Field-level activities in this regard have been intensified.
He urged media cooperation in addressing the crisis, stating that collective efforts from all stakeholders are essential. The minister expressed hope that coordinated actions will further strengthen the national EPI programme and gradually help restore normal health service conditions across the country.