A severe measles outbreak in Sylhet has pushed Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital beyond capacity, forcing authorities to convert Ward No. 32 of its Neonatal Special Care Unit (SCNU) into a dedicated pediatric measles ward.
Originally designed with 38 beds, the ward is now treating nearly three times that number of patients. Hospital visits revealed overcrowded conditions, with two to three children sharing a single bed while others received treatment on the floor. Each child is often accompanied by one or two family members, worsening congestion inside the small ward.
Despite air-conditioning facilities, patients and attendants are struggling in the intense heat and overcrowded environment. Medical staff are also facing major difficulties due to limited manpower and rising patient numbers.
Taj Uddin, who brought his eight-month-old son Mahfuz from Habiganj Sadar four days ago, said his child’s condition has not improved despite treatment.
“We are staying beside him day and night. Two patients are sharing one bed, and the environment is extremely difficult,” he said.
On Tuesday, relatives were seen carrying and walking sick children around the ward in an attempt to calm them. Doctors and nurses continued treatment under mounting pressure as the overcrowded ward struggled to accommodate the growing number of measles patients.
Hospital sources said that since the ward was converted into a measles unit on May 11, 210 children have been admitted. Two children have died in the ward so far. Currently, 78 patients are receiving treatment there, while 12 are in critical condition.
The ward has only eight nurses working in three shifts, with sometimes just one nurse assigned during the night. Staff members say the shortage makes it impossible to provide proper care. There is also a lack of permanent support staff, while security personnel are available only during daytime hours.
According to the Sylhet Divisional Health Director’s Office, one child with measles symptoms died in the 24 hours before Wednesday morning, raising the divisional death toll to 41. During the same period, 92 new suspected measles patients were admitted to hospitals across Sylhet division.
At present, 280 suspected measles patients are undergoing treatment in different hospitals in the division. Since May 13, a total of 12 children have died within seven days.
Shah Alam, who brought his four-year-old nephew Tahsin from Chhatak in Sunamganj, described the suffering inside the ward.
“There are too many people here. Children are crowded together, and the heat is unbearable. Even adults struggle to breathe,” he said.
Another guardian, Lubna, said she and two other mothers were sharing a single bed with their children.
“The fever went down at first, but it returned again. The ward is too crowded for sick children,” she said.
Dr Hedayet Hossain Sarwar, Registrar of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Osmani Hospital, said additional beds cannot be arranged because measles is highly contagious.
“We are transferring patients who improve slightly to other wards to create space,” he said, adding that the hospital, which officially has 900 beds, is currently handling nearly 4,000 to 4,500 patients daily.
Md Mahbubul Alam, Acting Deputy Director of the hospital, admitted the institution has reached its limit.
“We are already operating at maximum capacity. If pressure increases further, the system may collapse,” he said.
He suggested establishing a temporary field hospital and strengthening healthcare services in upazila hospitals to reduce pressure on Sylhet’s main medical facility.