Measles deaths mount as ICU absence casts shadow over Mymensingh Medical

Doctors say the lack of ICU support may be worsening outcomes as more children with measles symptoms are admitted

The lack of ICU support at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital has added to the concerns and fears of families as the number of children dying with measles symptoms continues to rise.

So far, 22 children admitted to the hospital during the recent surge have died.

Hospital Assistant Director (Administration) Mohammad Mynuddin Khan said on Friday that two more children had died in the previous 24 hours, while 24 new patients had been admitted.

He said the latest two deaths were of boys aged 10 months and 5 months.

The 10-month-old child, from Kalmakanda Upazila in Netrokona, died around 10pm on Thursday after being admitted on Apr 25.

The 5-month-old child, from Islampur Upazila in Jamalpur, had been admitted on the night of Apr 29 and died on Thursday morning while receiving treatment.

Mynuddin said children suffering from measles symptoms alongside other illnesses were at greater risk.

“If there had been ICU facilities, the death toll might have been lower,” he said.

The situation has also forced doctors to refer many children to Dhaka, increasing the hardship for families.

At the isolation ward on Friday morning, Helena Akter was seen in tears while holding her 8-month-old child, Taznim, who was receiving oxygen.

The child’s father, Islam Uddin, was sitting beside them. The family, from Datta village in Ishwarganj Upazila, brought the child to the ward on Tuesday.

“Children are dying in this ward every day. That frightens us too,” Helena said.

“If there had been ICU facilities here, so many children would not have died. We are spending day and night in fear for our child.”

In a nearby cabin, Tabassum Akter from Phulpur had her 9-month-old son Rafsan admitted with measles symptoms.

She said doctors had advised her to take the child to Dhaka after his condition worsened despite a week of treatment.

“We are poor people. The doctor says we should take our son to Dhaka, but we cannot go because we do not have the money,” she said.

“If advanced treatment were available here, it would help poor families like ours.”

Mynuddin said 996 children had received treatment at the hospital since Mar 17, of whom 911 had recovered and returned home.

In the past 24 hours, 28 children had been discharged, while one was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

A total of 63 children are now undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The official said a new building was under construction and included a proposal for a five-bed ICU.

“I hope that once it is built, children in this region will receive better treatment,” he said.