Professionals Blame Yunus, Nurjahan for Measles Child Deaths
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A group calling itself ‘Conscious Citizens’ Society’ has demanded the trial of former interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, alleging deliberate child killings by withholding measles vaccination. The demand was made at a human chain held on Wednesday afternoon at Dhanmondi 27 in the capital.
Speakers at the event alleged that Yunus, Nurjahan Begum, Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, and others were responsible for child deaths from measles, a disease they described as easily preventable. They also demanded compensation for the families of the deceased children.
The speakers claimed that measles had long remained under control in Bangladesh due to a nationwide vaccination program supported by UNICEF. However, they alleged that the interim government cancelled its agreement with UNICEF in an attempt to misappropriate funds allocated for measles vaccines. They further claimed that the government later failed to procure vaccines, putting millions of children at risk. According to official figures cited at the event, around 500 children have died from measles, while unofficial estimates place the toll at over 1,000. They also claimed nearly 100,000 children have been infected.
Doctors, teachers, journalists, lawyers, agriculturists, and engineers from various professions took part in the human chain.
The program was moderated by Sheikh Jamal, member secretary of the Anti-Repression Journalists’ Front. Speakers included noted physician Professor Jamal Uddin Chowdhury, former Vice-Chancellor of Noakhali Science and Technology University Dr. Ahiduzzaman, agriculturists Saidur Rahman Selim and Mizanur Rahman, Advocate Shamin Al Saiful Sohag, Engineer Ataul Mahmud, cultural personality Kamal Pasha Chowdhury, Dhaka University White Panel Co-Convener Professor Touhid Rashid, and Advocate Khair Uddin Sikder.
President of Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad Dr. Jamal Uddin Chowdhury said the real reasons behind delays in securing measles vaccines must be disclosed to the public. He called for an impartial investigation into the allegations against Dr. Yunus, Nurjahan Begum, and Dr. Sayedur Rahman, and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. He also urged compensation for affected families.
President of the Progressive Public University Teachers’ Forum Professor Dr. Ahiduzzaman said the child deaths were not natural but amounted to killings, and demanded justice for those responsible.
Others present at the human chain included Dhaka Journalists Union General Secretary Akhtar Hossain, agriculturist A.F.M. Mahbubur Rahman, Dr. Atik, Dr. Mamun, Professor Azmal Hossain Bhuiyan, Professor Shabnam, Professor Jamila Chowdhury, Professor Zebunnesa, Dr. Nitol, Dr. Asim, Dr. Humayun, agriculturist Deepu, DUJ Organizing Secretary Golam Mortuza Dhruv, Legal Affairs Secretary Asadur Rahman, Executive Member Sajeda Haque, Rahima Khanam, Ramjan Ali, Naimur Rahman Swapan, Beauty Rani, Gazi Tushar Ahmed, Sheikh Iman Ahmed, and Advocate Fazlul Kader.
