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Dhaka Medical College Hospital's paediatric wards are facing a crisis as they grapple with an increasing influx of measles cases among children. The situation is dire, with wards becoming severely overcrowded, forcing two children with different medical conditions to often share a single bed. This creates a challenging environment, particularly for vulnerable patients who may require specific conditions, such as cooler air or isolation, which are impossible to provide in the current setup.

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I did not think about money even once. I just want to save my child.

The stories emerging from the hospital paint a picture of parental desperation and resilience. Hasina Begum, whose two-year-old son Habib was admitted for a neurological illness and later developed measles symptoms, has already spent over Tk 1 lakh on treatment. Her anguish is palpable as she speaks of her child's deteriorating condition, exacerbated by the measles infection and the inability to vaccinate him due to his existing health issues. Similarly, Sumi Khatun rushed her 13-month-old son, Afridi, to Dhaka from Bhola after he fell critically ill, only to face a desperate search for a hospital bed.

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There is no place left to draw blood from. Doctors are saying his condition is not very good. He already has problems in the brain and now this measles infection has made everything worse.

These personal tragedies unfold against a backdrop of systemic strain. The hospital's struggle to accommodate the rising number of measles infections highlights the challenges in managing public health emergencies. For families like Habib's and Afridi's, the priority remains their child's survival, overriding concerns about cost or comfort. However, the lack of adequate space and resources within the hospital underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and targeted interventions to combat the measles outbreak effectively.

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I will do everything I can for him.