7-month-old boy dies after measles battle across seven hospitals

Born after three daughters, the infant was the family's long-awaited bundle of joy

Seven-month-old Sajid Al Nahiyan has died of measles after a desperate, uphill struggle that saw him moved through seven hospitals across Cumilla, Feni and Dhaka in a bid to save his life.

Sajid was the long-awaited son of Parvez Ahmed Shumon and Sultana Akter, born after 16 years of marriage and the couple’s three daughters.

His birth had brought what family members described as “complete happiness” to their household in Singraish village under Cumilla’s Chauddagram Upazila.

That joy turned to grief on Sunday morning when Sajid died at the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Dhaka.

Relatives said the infant developed fever, cold and cough on Apr 14 and was first treated at a private hospital in Chauddagram Bazar after consultation with a paediatric specialist.

He initially improved after antibiotic treatment.

However, his condition worsened again.

On May 12, he was admitted to Chauddagram Upazila Health Complex.

After two days without improvement, he was shifted to a private hospital in Feni.

As his condition continued to deteriorate, Sajid was taken to Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka National Healthcare Hospital, and finally to Impulse Hospital in Tejgaon.

Doctors there confirmed he had measles.

He was later moved to the intensive care unit as his condition worsened, but he did not recover.

His father Parvez broke down in tears, saying: “Even after taking him to seven hospitals, I could not save my child from measles. My beloved son, the light of my life, is gone.”

Chauddagram Upazila Health Officer Rashid Ahmed Tofael said Sajid was admitted with measles-like symptoms and was referred to Dhaka as his condition deteriorated.

“He died in Dhaka this morning while undergoing treatment,” he said.