Dr Yunus named in petition over alleged vaccine procurement irregularities

An application has been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption in the procurement of measles and other vaccines during the former interim government, involving its then Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, along with other officials.

On Monday (13 April), Supreme Court lawyers Biplob Kumar Das and Barrister Sanaullah Noor-e-Sagar submitted the application to the ACC Chairman, requesting a thorough inquiry and appropriate legal action if any irregularities are found.

In the application, they expressed concern over child deaths linked to measles infection. They stated that reports of nearly a hundred child deaths across the country due to a recent measles outbreak have caused deep distress and alarm to them as concerned citizens and members of the legal profession.

They further noted that media reports have highlighted shortages of measles and other essential vaccines in government immunisation programmes, contributing to a rising number of infections and child fatalities. The situation, they said, is highly alarming.

The application also claims that several citizens and health experts, through social media and electronic media, have held the former Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum responsible for the deaths of children due to measles.

It further states that the current government has attributed shortages of measles vaccines and syringes in the Health Ministry to problems inherited from the previous administration. According to the application, the interim government had changed the vaccine procurement mechanism without adequate prior preparation.

Despite a substantial allocation in the health sector budget—reportedly around Tk 42,000 crore—the authorities allegedly failed to procure vaccines and ensure timely immunisation programmes. As a result, the measles outbreak has worsened, reportedly reaching epidemic proportions. Various sources suggest that over a hundred children have already died, while thousands more are being treated in hospitals due to insufficient preventive measures.

Measles, the application notes, is a highly contagious disease that is rapidly spreading across the country.

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It is further alleged that the introduction of a new procurement system, failure to procure sufficient vaccines and syringes on time, and lack of transparency in public disclosure—despite adequate budget allocation—indicate possible irregularities and corruption. Reports in newspapers and electronic media have already highlighted alleged procurement-related irregularities in the health sector.

The petitioners argued that there is a strong possibility of large-scale corruption and embezzlement in the health sector under the former interim government. They stressed that, in the public interest and to protect both the health sector and children’s lives, the matter should be investigated by the ACC.

They have therefore requested the commission to examine whether any irregularities or corruption occurred in vaccine procurement and immunisation activities during the tenure of the interim government’s Chief Adviser and Health Adviser, and to take necessary action based on the findings of the investigation.