Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain said that measles infection rates have dropped to nearly zero in 18 upazilas where the first phase of the vaccination campaign was conducted. He stated that the national measles vaccination program has achieved 122 percent of its target, with more than 20 million children vaccinated so far. The minister made these remarks on Monday morning after visiting Cumilla Medical College Hospital and Sadar General Hospital.

In response to a question about whether the government would seek an independent investigation from the World Health Organization into measles-related infections and deaths, the minister emphasized that punishment alone cannot solve the problem. He said the government’s top priority is to protect children from measles and ensure that no mother loses her child to the disease.

When asked about alleged irregularities worth 50 million taka in medicine procurement at Cumilla Medical College last year, the minister said that work has already begun and that existing public health issues must be addressed first.