The interim government has been warned several times about the lack of vaccinations in the country and the resulting risk of the spread of various diseases, UNICEF Bangladesh said. The organization says that during the Yunus government, the Ministry of Health was informed about this possible vaccination crisis by writing five to six letters.
Rana Flowers, Bangladesh representative of the organization, disclosed this sensational information in an emergency press conference organized at the UNICEF office in the capital on Wednesday (May 20) afternoon.
In the press conference, Rana Flowers elaborated on the root causes of the current vaccination crisis in the country, the steps taken by UNICEF to overcome the crisis and how such a situation should not be repeated in the future.
A UNICEF representative told the press conference that UNICEF was repeatedly reminded of the impending crisis, not only in written letters, but also in at least 10 separate meetings held with senior government officials. Despite this, due to not taking effective measures in time, there has been a shortage of vaccines in the country.
Rana Flowers told reporters that the interim government can buy vaccines from the international market through open tender. However, it is important to always ensure the stock of vaccines for the overall public health protection of the country.
Highlighting the limitations of open tender, he said, it takes about a year to collect vaccines in its own process in the normal open tender system. But through UNICEF’s own global network and logistics system, direct procurement of vaccines is possible very quickly.
Public health experts feel that, despite this warning from UNICEF, such indifference of the Ministry of Health has put the vaccination program of children and common people in the country at great risk. In the current situation, whether the government will choose the route of quick import of vaccines through UNICEF to overcome the crisis, it is now to be seen.
