Maternal Nutrition, Breastfeeding Vital for Child Immunity

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has called for prioritizing preventive awareness and maternal health, alongside treatment, to curb the spread of measles and dengue in the country. He said ensuring proper maternal nutrition and breastfeeding after birth is essential to building a child’s immunity.

He made the remarks on Sunday while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on prevention and control of measles and dengue at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

The health minister said the current measles and dengue situation is concerning, but it can be managed through increased awareness, vaccination, and strengthened preventive measures. He stressed the importance of nutritious food for mothers and regular breastfeeding to ensure better child health.

At the seminar, former DAB secretary general and current Member of Parliament Dr. Abdus Salam said people are dying from measles and there is no time to remain inactive. He said DAB must stand beside the people as it did in the past.

He added that ICU shortages have been partially reduced in the country, but further improvements are still needed.

At the beginning of the seminar, Dr. Farhana Haque presented the keynote paper. She said nearly nine people per thousand are currently dying from measles-related complications in the country. She added that the infection has spread across 61 of 64 districts, with most patients being children under five. According to her data, 451 people have died so far.

She further said around 83 percent of infected children have not received any vaccine dose. One dose provides about 95 percent protection, while two doses offer up to 97 percent protection. She also said gaps in vaccination emerged due to disruptions in routine campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Farhana Haque added that infection rates are currently higher in Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Chattogram. She called for local vaccine production, expansion of ICU facilities, and training of doctors to manage the situation effectively.

Dr. Mohammad Sayem, research secretary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB), said around 666,000 people have been infected with dengue in the country since 2000. He said more than 100,000 people were infected in 2015, with over 400 deaths recorded.

He added that a person can be infected with dengue up to four times. Describing symptoms such as fever, body aches, and rash, he warned that the period after fever subsides is the most dangerous phase. He advised immediate hospital admission if symptoms such as excessive vomiting, chest pain, or swelling of the body appear.