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1.61 crore children vaccinated against measles: Dr Zahed
Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today said one crore and 61 lakhs children aged between six months and under five years have been vaccinated under the ongoing measles-rubella campaign, achieving 89 percent of the target.
“The campaign would reach full coverage within the next few days,” he told a weekly press briefing held at the conference room of the Press Information Department this morning, where he also highlighted the government’s recent activities and achievements.
Dr Zahed said deaths of children due to measles and its complications are extremely tragic, particularly when infected children develop pneumonia and require ICU support, which becomes difficult to manage. “The government is giving the highest priority to address this crisis,” he added.
Dr Zahed said efforts have been intensified to expand the vaccination programme to prevent such deaths among children.
He also informed that UNICEF and Gavi have supplied an additional 2.2 million mixing syringes to support the campaign. Besides, the United States has provided 600,000 GeneXpert cartridges for tuberculosis detection and preventive medicines for 11,000 children.
The adviser said health related offices have also started preparations to tackle dengue ahead of the monsoon season.
Highlighting other government initiatives, he said a pilot project will begin in July to distribute free school uniforms, bags and shoes among first-grade students in two schools of each upazila.
On energy, he said the country now has sufficient fuel stock, including over 234,000 metric tonnes of diesel as of May 2, along with adequate octane, petrol and jet fuel. He urged people not to panic, adding that the “fuel pass” programme will continue.
Regarding electricity, he said no load-shedding was required from April 28 to May 4, though temporary disruptions may occur in some areas due to transmission faults. He, however, cautioned that load-shedding may be needed if extreme heat increases demand or if LNG supply is disrupted due to the Middle East situation.
Principal Information Officer of PID Syed Abdal Ahmed and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md Shah Alam, among others, were present at the briefing, reports BSS.