Measles outbreak hits us suddenly, like lightning strike: Health Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has described the recent measles outbreak as sudden and unforeseen, likening it to a lightning strike.

Speaking after inaugurating a training programme on Thursday (2 April) at Dhaka Shishu Hospital on the use of Bubble CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) for treating pneumonia-induced respiratory distress, the health minister said, “The measles outbreak hit us suddenly, like lightning; we had no prior preparation. Due to negligence by some hospital authorities and communication gaps, we have tragically lost several young lives. I am deeply saddened.”

He recalled a previous incident at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mohakhali, where a single casualty had occurred.

“We reached there at 1am and managed to contain the situation. Within 18 hours, we rapidly activated the WHO-supported ICU with doctors and nurses, and thankfully, there were no further casualties,” he added.