Bangladesh: actions for sustainable immunization services
Kahn, M.M.; Yoder, R.A.
Health Reform and Priority Services 1999: 9-11
1999
PMID: 12222169 Document Number: 524797
This article presents the result of the study on the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) in Bangladesh from April 26 to May 14, 1998. Results of this study are used to resolve barriers to program target attainment and reassessment of the EPI program. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is contending with cost, cost-effectiveness and financial issues of the EPI programs, with goals of increasing the immunization coverage to 90% by the year 2000. EPI expenditures in 1997-98 reached $18.3 million, covering 110,000 immunizations per month, which was successful in preventing 2.28 million deaths. Cost-effectiveness ratios in Bangladesh were favorable compared with World Bank estimates. In conclusion, several options have been identified by the study including an increase in the MOH budget funding by the government, identification of cost savings, social mobilization through community-based organization and local leaders, review of the Vaccine Independence Initiative, implementation of modest user fees and consideration of alternative funding.