Home
+
Published : 09 Apr 2026, 01:23 AM
Nine-month-old Inaya lies with a high fever and rashes across her body, a cannula inserted in her tiny hand for saline and a tube in her nose.
Her relentless crying has left her mother and grandmother emotionally shattered, as they rush between nurses, doctors and nearby pharmacies.
A visit to the specialised measles ward at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar reveals many children in similar condition.
On Wednesday, all 16 ICU beds and 60 general beds in the measles ward were occupied.
Some children whose conditions had deteriorated could not be shifted to ICU due to lack of space.
Most had cannulas and nasal tubes, while parents struggled to calm their cries.
Parents were managing their children, following nurses and doctors for updates, and rushing outside to buy medicines.
Hospital authorities said that between 11am Tuesday and 11am Wednesday, 17 new measles patients were admitted.
Another 61 were already undergoing treatment, bringing the total number of admitted children to 78.
Since the beginning of April, three children have died at the hospital, while another remains on life support.
Calls to Expand ICU Capacity
Amid a surge in measles cases nationwide, children with infections or symptoms are being admitted to hospitals in Dhaka from across districts.
Many whose conditions worsen are being treated in general wards due to a shortage of ICU beds, prompting calls from families to increase ICU capacity.
Inaya’s mother Meem Akter told bdnews24.com, “At the beginning of this month, my daughter developed a high fever. I brought her to this hospital the next day, but doctors said it was not measles.
“Three days after returning home, her fever came back, along with vomiting and mild rashes. We had no choice but to bring her back on Tuesday. After examination, doctors admitted her immediately.”
Her grandmother Morsheda Akter said, “We first brought her to the hospital and were told it was not measles. A few days later, her condition worsened. We rushed her back, but despite needing ICU support, she cannot get a bed.
“We hear about development in every sector, but when it comes to treatment, we face so much hardship. Where life and death are at stake, development should come first.
“As measles cases rise, ICU beds are still insufficient. Increasing ICU capacity in hospitals should be the top priority.”
Mizanur Rahman initially admitted his child to a government hospital in Bhola after the onset of fever.
When the child’s condition worsened and no ICU was available, he travelled to Dhaka.
“After Eid, my child developed a fever. We started treatment in Bhola, but when the condition deteriorated, there was no ICU available. So we had to come to Dhaka,” he said.
“Here, we got an ICU bed after one day, and my child is now recovering.”
Taslima, aged six to seven months, was also admitted with measles symptoms.
She was first treated at Brahmanbaria District Sadar Hospital, but brought to Dhaka after her condition did not improve.
Her mother Sonia Akter said, “My daughter developed a fever about a week ago. We first went to the district hospital, but when she did not improve, we brought her to Dhaka.
“After admission, she was given oxygen and advice from doctors. But we have to buy almost all medicines from outside. One person has to stay with the child, while another runs outside to arrange medicines and essentials. It would reduce our suffering if the hospital provided some urgent medicines.”
Senior staff nurse Dola said the hospital is under severe pressure.
“Due to the high number of patients, we are working extra every day. The pressure is increasing from ICU to the general wards,” she said.
‘Patient Load Surges Since Eid-ul-Fitr’
The specialised measles ward at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital has a total of 60 beds, including 44 general beds and 16 ICU beds.
Hospital authorities said that since Eid-ul-Fitr, not a single bed has remained vacant.
Prof Mahbubul Hoque, director of the hospital, told bdnews24.com, “Due to the surge in measles cases among children, we launched a specialised ward from Eid-ul-Fitr.”
“Even before that, measles patients were being admitted, but a dedicated unit was opened on the day of Eid,” he added.
He said many children are being infected before reaching the age eligible for vaccination.
“Measles vaccines are administered at nine months and 15 months. However, many children are being infected before receiving these doses. This requires further research.
“There is currently no need to vaccinate before nine months, but nearly half of the children are being infected earlier. So it needs to be examined whether the vaccination schedule should be brought forward.”
Explaining symptoms, the physician said, “Common symptoms of measles include fever, cold and rashes, which may persist for several days. Fever or cold alone does not indicate measles. Many are bringing children to hospital with such symptoms, but there is no need for panic in those cases.
“However, if a child shows fever, rash and abnormal breathing simultaneously, they must be taken to hospital. Children should also be kept away from unnecessary contact with outsiders.”
