Nearly nine in 10 families affected by measles in Bangladesh have had to borrow money to cover treatment costs, while six in 10 depleted their savings, according to a joint assessment by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The assessment found that 89% of affected families borrowed money to pay for treatment, while 61% used up their savings.
Every family surveyed said they required financial assistance. Among them, 35% identified medicines as their top priority, followed by water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support (33%) and food assistance (22%). Around 4% reported selling assets, while 3% relied on donations.
The assessment covered 2,746 measles-affected households receiving treatment at 12 government medical college and district hospitals across Bangladesh.
It found that the outbreak's financial impact extended well beyond medical expenses. Around 75% of patients were aged four years or below, 19% were between five and 17 years, and 6% were aged 18 or above.
The assessment was conducted to identify 2,400 of the most vulnerable households for emergency cash assistance of Tk10,000 each and to evaluate the socio-economic impact of the outbreak. Of the 2,746 households assessed, 2,400 were selected to receive assistance based on agreed vulnerability criteria.
According to the findings, affected families spent an average of Tk16,000 on treatment and related expenses. Many caregivers also reported losing income or even their jobs after spending extended periods in hospitals caring for sick family members.
Hazera Khatun travelled from Rangpur to Dhaka with her 11-month-old daughter, who is receiving treatment at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. The family has already spent more than Tk70,000.
"Treatment at the government hospital is free, but many other costs are not covered," she said.
"We spent nearly Tk20,000 just to reach Dhaka by ambulance. Every day we have to buy food, pay for medical tests and meet other daily expenses. I have already borrowed money from relatives. My husband works in Saudi Arabia, but he has not received his salary this month, making the situation even more difficult."
Among respondents who disclosed their occupations, 78% depended on informal employment and earned between Tk6,000 and Tk20,000 per month, making them particularly vulnerable to income loss during prolonged illness.
Dr Kabir M Ashraf Alam, secretary general of BDRCS, said the findings showed that many families were facing both a health emergency and severe financial hardship.
"Through our emergency response, we are providing cash assistance to the most vulnerable households while continuing community awareness activities," he said.
Alberto Bocanegra, head of delegation of the IFRC in Bangladesh, said the consequences of the measles outbreak extended beyond hospital treatment.
"Families often face serious financial hardship while caring for sick children or other family members. These findings highlight why humanitarian assistance and strong social protection systems are essential during public health emergencies. It is important that our response is guided by evidence," he said.
With support from the IFRC and its partners, BDRCS has assisted the government in implementing the nationwide measles vaccination campaign. The organisation has also mobilised more than 1,000 Red Crescent volunteers to conduct community awareness campaigns, support vaccination centres, and promote risk communication and early healthcare seeking.