The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-bound migrants and those intending to perform Umrah staged demonstration in Dhaka on Tuesday after failing to receive mandatory meningitis vaccination to travel the Middle East country.
According to Saudi government directives, meningitis vaccination is now compulsory for new Umrah pilgrims and travellers on visit visas.
As per the requirement, several hundred people tried to get the vaccine from different city hospitals but failed.
Finally the frustrated people went to the capital鈥檚 Square Hospital in the Panthapath area and again were denied vaccine there for the inadequate supply.
The agitated people then staged protect in front of the hospital and later, around 12:30pm, they moved their protest to the Probashi Kalyan Bhaban area.
Witnesses said that about 300 people gathered in front of Square Hospital, disrupting traffic from 10:30am.
Police, however, managed to calm the situation requesting the protesters to stage the protest without halting traffic.
Since 8:30am on the day, expatriates have been gathering here for vaccines, Square Hospital senior vice-president Faisal Zaman said, adding that they were out of stock yesterday.
鈥楾he vaccines are imported by Radiant Pharma, and they have informed us that it will take 10鈥�15 days to bring in more supplies,鈥� he said.
He added that earlier they needed only five to six vaccines per day. Suddenly, due to the new Saudi government directive, hundreds are flocking to the hospital.
On Monday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh issued a new directive making meningitis vaccination mandatory for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport executive director Kamrul Islam said that the notice was served following Saudi Arabia鈥檚 updated guidelines, which will take effect from February 10.
As per the guidelines, travellers must receive the vaccine at least 10 days before departure and carry a vaccination certificate.
Children aged below one year and those who have been vaccinated within three years do not need to be vaccinated, the guidelines said.