Dhaka, May 25 (IANS) Bangladesh’s Awami League party on Monday alleged that the measles outbreak has increased in the country due to the negligence and policy failures of the previous interim government of Muhammad Yunus. Due to this, more than 500 people have lost their lives.
The party claimed that recent statements by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have confirmed that the crisis was not an accident but the result of Yunus’ willful negligence.
The UN agency said it had warned the previous interim government led by Yunus about the vaccine shortage through repeated writing and meetings with health ministry officials, telling them that it could lead to a major health crisis.
It has come to light that for many years the government purchased the vaccine through Direct Procurement method through UNICEF, but last year the interim government decided to divide the purchase between UNICEF and the open tender process, which led to delay in purchasing the vaccine.
UNICEF strongly opposed the move and warned that it could disrupt the vaccination system and spread the disease. “It was very disappointing,” Science Advisor quoted Rana Flowers, the agency’s representative in Bangladesh, as saying.
The Awami League also cited warnings from public health experts that adopting the changed purchasing system would lead to delays in vaccine delivery and the widespread spread of measles.
“Despite those warnings, the Yunus government ignored them. Due to bureaucratic hurdles, the tender process was stalled, vaccine stocks were exhausted and routine vaccination programs were stalled,” it said.
Citing media reports and complaints by the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission, the Awami League said allegations of “embezzlement and irregularities” in the purchase of vaccines and syringes have also emerged. It was emphasized that this was not just incompetence but a deliberate crime. The party said that by deliberately not providing the vaccine and destroying the supply system, Yunus pushed Bangladesh towards destruction.
Awami League further said that many MPs sitting in the National Parliament today are those who supported Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 and took part in the killing of Bangladeshi Bengalis. It also said that the first objective of these members is to protect the interests of Pakistan, not the security and well-being of the people of Bangladesh.
According to the Awami League, along with the vaccine crisis, the Yunus government, in its last days in power, signed a trade agreement with the US called “Reciprocating Trade Agreement” (ART).
The party claimed that a review of the agreement showed that it was signed at the expense of Bangladesh’s national interests, but its timing is even more suspect. In fact, it was signed just three days before the elections to be held in February this year. Therefore, the timing at which this agreement was signed has raised doubts about the motive behind the deal.
The Awami League said Yunus deliberately exposed children to death by ignoring UNICEF’s warnings and sacrificed the country’s independence and sovereignty through an agreement with the US.
–IANS
KK/VC