Dhaka, April 8 (NationPress) As the measles outbreak in Bangladesh has tragically resulted in over 128 fatalities since March 15, primarily affecting children, Awami League leader Mohammad Ali Arafat expressed strong criticism on Wednesday towards the former interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. He accused them of dismantling crucial public welfare programs initiated by the Sheikh Hasina administration, notably the national immunisation scheme.

Arafat, a former Minister in Bangladesh, emphasized the need to hold the previous interim government accountable for exposing the country to a potential health crisis.

Recent reports indicate that at least 10 additional individuals succumbed to suspected measles within a single day, bringing the total death toll to 128 since mid-March, as reported by local media referencing the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

In a post on his social media account on platform X, Arafat stated, “Yunus’s interim government, motivated by a political agenda, discontinued numerous public welfare initiatives, including the national immunisation programme established by the Awami League government. This led to numerous child fatalities and created turmoil for families with infants.”

He highlighted that vaccination rates had surpassed 90% under the Awami League’s regime, referencing data from the World Health Organisation’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). However, he noted that by 2025, this coverage plummeted to 59.6%, indicating a dramatic decline that raises alarms about policy continuity and execution.

Arafat voiced serious concerns, stating, “The inability to deliver essential, life-saving vaccines, particularly to children, is viewed as a breach of the right to life. The drop in immunisation rates escalates the risk of preventable diseases and child mortality, which signifies not only a policy failure but also a larger systemic collapse.”

He accused the interim government of causing “political instability and shifting priorities” during its 18-month reign, which significantly undermined Bangladesh’s health sector.

“The primary focus of the Yunus administration has been to suppress the Awami League, while current authorities engage in a blame game instead of tackling the pressing issues,” Arafat pointed out.

He warned that the resurgence of diseases like measles presents both national and international threats, stating that if outbreaks escalate, Bangladesh might encounter “travel restrictions or adverse health classifications, impacting education, workforce movement, and ultimately the economy.”

“The Yunus administration must bear responsibility for pushing the nation to the edge of disaster,” he concluded.