Professor Mahmudur Rahman, Chairman of the National Verification Committee for Measles and Rubella Elimination (NVC) and former Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), was also present at the meeting. The NVC evaluates the country’s progress towards measles and rubella elimination, informs the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Commission and advises the government. It was last reconstituted on 30 November 2017 and has nine members.
According to the minutes of the meeting signed by Firdausi Qadri, the joint session recommended forming a multi-stakeholder committee comprising pediatricians, epidemiologists, virologists, laboratory experts and other relevant experts. The committee will give priority to case detection and guide evidence-based decision making. However, the committee has not been formed yet.
The minutes show that, at a joint meeting that day, members of the two expert committees stressed the need for careful planning on measles. He also highlighted the importance of effective communication to prevent its spread and stressed on ensuring high-quality program implementation.