Sylhet Bureau :
Any infectious disease caused by viruses or bacteria has a permanent or long-term effect on children, and can even cause death to children. Vaccination is a protective measure against such diseases. Today’s children will be healthy citizens of the future through vaccination.
The program began on Thursday , at the conference room of the Sylhet Divisional Commissioner’s Office, National Media Institute Director General Muhammad Hiruzzaman made these remarks in his presiding speech at a departmental-level consultative workshop with media workers on typhoid vaccination programme.
Regarding the role of the media in making the typhoid vaccination campaign successful, the Director General said that journalists have the opportunity to play the most role. Journalists can easily reach the public. Their statements and writings are more acceptable to the public.
Therefore, he called on media workers to clear all kinds of confusion about typhoid vaccination and to play a pioneering role in combating rumours and misinformation.
Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-un-Nabi was present as the chief guest at the workshop.
In his speech as the chief guest, he said that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the good health of children and adolescents and develop them as good citizens. The typhoid vaccination campaign is an initiative of the state to build a healthy future generation. He expressed hope that journalists will make the state’s initiative successful by countering rumors about vaccination and publishing positive news.
Among other guests present at the workshop were Sylhet Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Md. Anisur Rahman, Sylhet Range DIG Office Police Superintendent Md. Aminul Islam, Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Nasir Uddin and UNICEF Sylhet Region Head QaziDilAfroz Islam. In addition, officials of the National Media Institute, Sylhet District Information Office, Regional Information Office and Bangladesh Betar were present. National Media Institute Director (Administration and Development) MosammatRahimaAkhtar delivered the welcome speech at the workshop.
In the open discussion, journalists discussed various issues including scientific explanations to counter rumors about typhoid vaccination, registration process, etc. It is worth noting that according to the health department, 67.02 percent of children at the school level have been vaccinated in Sylhet City Corporation as of October 22. In addition, 57 percent of children at the school level in Sylhet division and 37 percent of the total target children at the school and community levels combined have already been vaccinated. The target of vaccinating about 3 million children in Sylhet division has been set.
