Measles crisis: Order to scrap leave for public health officials and employees

At least 50 children have died with the disease or with symptoms consistent with the disease in recent weeks

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has cancelled all types of leave for doctors, officials, and employees at all government health institutions under its jurisdiction in order to provide uninterrupted services amid a deadly nationwide outbreak of measles.

The DGHS issued the order in a statement on Thursday.

“Due to the outbreak of measles-related pneumonia among children, the leave (earned leave and casual leave) of doctors, officials and employees of all levels working in the Directorate General of Health Services and all health institutions under the Directorate General of Health Services is hereby suspended/cancelled to facilitate uninterrupted medical services and provision of measles vaccines during this emergency period.”

Outbreaks of measles have been reported in children across the country in recent weeks, with the death toll from the disease and those showing symptoms of the disease ticking over 50.

The indefinite scrapping of leave comes amid this public health emergency.

The health ministry is set to launch a nationwide measles vaccination programme from Sunday.

Health Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury has urged everyone to cooperate and make the initiative a success.

He made this call at an emergency meeting of health workers at the Secretariat on Thursday, a statement from the ministry said on Friday.

Health inspectors, assistant health inspectors, health assistants, sanitary inspectors and porters working in the health sector, including representatives from different positions, were present at the meeting.

Health worker representatives highlighted longstanding problems and deprivations at work during the meeting.

The health secretary said, "The prime minister is aware of your situation and the health minister has also instructed all kinds of initiatives for your welfare. Measures will be taken to fulfil your reasonable demands. Therefore, it is better to keep the issue of these demands separate from the upcoming emergency measles vaccination programme."

During the meeting, a committee was formed with DGHS Additional Director General (Administration) Prof Md Zahid Raihan as president to fulfil the reasonable demands of the health workers.

The committee has been asked to submit recommendations to the health ministry within 15 days after discussing the matter with the relevant parties.