SANGSAD BHABAN, June 17 (V7N)— Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told the Jatiya Sangsad Tuesday that the government is giving “highest priority” to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to prevent measles outbreaks, while also moving to recruit 1 lakh health workers and cut Hajj costs.

Replying to a starred question from treasury bench MP Md. Mustafizur Rahman Babul (Jamalpur-3), the premier said causes of measles spread and the impact of policy and operational factors on vaccination are reviewed regularly. Under EPI, vaccine procurement, storage, and distribution follow international standards and government rules.

On recent outbreaks, Rahman said a data-driven technical review will assess whether changes in the procurement system hurt the program. “If the review finds evidence of negligence or dereliction of duty by any individual or institution, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with existing laws,” he said. 

To prevent future outbreaks, the government is working to ensure vaccine supply continuity, strengthen stock management, expand disease surveillance, improve rapid outbreak detection and response, raise public awareness, and boost coordination with national and international partners. Special vaccination drives are ongoing to increase measles coverage among vulnerable groups.

Health Workforce & Infrastructure  

Answering opposition MP Masum Mustafa (Netrokona-5), the PM said the Health Ministry has started implementing a long, medium, and short-term plan to recruit 1 lakh health workers, in line with the election manifesto. 

Currently, maternal and child health units under the Directorate General of Family Planning operate in all upazila hospitals, and 3,290 Union Health and Family Welfare Centres deliver services nationwide. Of 17,870 approved posts at upazila and union-level centers, 11,501 are filled and 6,359 remain vacant. Recruitment to fill those vacancies is underway.

On universal health coverage, replying to Dinajpur-1 MP Md Monjurul Islam, Rahman listed initiatives: upgrading the Mental Hospital in Pabna to an international-standard institute with government funding; building a 1,000-bed hospital in Nilphamari Sadar with Chinese grant aid, already approved by ECNEC; setting up a 150-bed Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit at Chattogram Medical College Hospital; and proposing a 500-700-bed specialized hospital in Dhaka North City and a rehabilitation centre at Krishnanagar, Dhamrai, both with Chinese assistance.

Hajj Costs  

Responding to Gazipur-4 opposition MP Salah Uddin, the PM said the government plans to reduce Hajj costs from next year and will pursue state-level and diplomatic efforts to lower expenses further. 

He explained Hajj is jointly managed by Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. About three-fourths of costs are Saudi-related — lodging in Mina and Arafah, transport, service charges, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, Qurbani, visa, and insurance. The remaining one-fourth is Bangladesh-related, mainly airfare. 

This year’s lowest Hajj package was Tk 4,67,167, including Qurbani: Tk 3,00,797 for Saudi expenses and Tk 1,66,369 for Bangladesh, with Tk 1,54,830 for air tickets. That’s Tk 11,075 less than 2025’s Tk 4,78,242 package. 

“The election manifesto promises an affordable, accessible, humane and expatriate-friendly Hajj management system,” Rahman said, adding that the government will work to “reduce or rationally determine” the 2027 package to ease pilgrims’ burden.

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