Health assistants ‘partially’ suspend work stoppage for typhoid vaccination

They said the decision has been taken for the typhoid vaccination programme

Health assistants have announced a “partial” suspension of the nationwide work stoppage protest that began on Oct 1 over six demands, including revision of the employment rules.

The decision came after a meeting with the chief of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Mohakhali on Monday.

They said the decision was made due to the typhoid vaccination programme, which starts on Oct 12.

Representatives of the Bangladesh Health Assistant Association (BHAA) and DGHS officials were present at the meeting.

Md Fazlul Haque Chowdhury, BHAA central demands settlement council member secretary, told bdnews24.com that the nationwide typhoid vaccination programme will begin on Oct 12. As it is a one-time event, other activities will remain suspended until Oct 30.

He said schools will be closed and exams are approaching, adding that after discussions with the DGHS chief and local leaders, they decided to pause all EPI operations except the typhoid vaccination.

“If there is no visible progress in fulfilling our demands, then the strike will resume from Oct 30.”