The government has formed a three-member commission to investigate allegations of delays, irregularities and administrative failures in the purchase and distribution of measles vaccine. The commission will also review the responsibility of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, which was in office from 8 August 2024 to 17 February 2026. It is the first formal inquiry commission since the outbreak, after long criticism over the deaths of a large number of children from measles and a shortage of vaccine.
The Cabinet Division issued the notification on Wednesday night. The commission was formed by order of the President under section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956. It is chaired by Mamnun Rahman, a former justice of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. The other two members are Professor Dr Mowdud Hossain Alamgir, president of the Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS), and ANM Moinul Islam, an additional secretary at the Health Services Division.
The notification, published in an extraordinary issue of the Bangladesh Gazette, sets out the commission’s terms of reference. It will find out why the purchase and distribution of measles vaccine were delayed, where there were irregularities or administrative failures, and how far the people and institutions involved were responsible. It will also make recommendations to prevent such a situation in future, and may make recommendations on any related matter it sees fit.
The commission may visit any place in the country for its investigation and has the power to summon and question anyone involved. It will be able to collect information and take statements from the people and institutions concerned.
Under the gazette notification, the inquiry must follow the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956. The commission must complete its work and submit its report to the government within 60 working days of the notification. The Health Services Division will provide secretarial support, meet its costs and supply staff.
The division will also assign as many officials and employees as needed from the division or the institutions under it to help the commission do its work. The notification says the order forming the commission takes effect immediately.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report