One after another, families with children infected with measles arrived at the emergency department of DNCC Hospital in Mohakhali. Some came by ambulance, some by CNG-run autorickshaw, some by rickshaw, and others on foot.
Outside the outpatient department, a mother sat on a chair holding her motionless daughter. The child’s eyes were closed and her body limp.
The mother, Nuruun Nahar, said her daughter had measles.
“She had a fever for two days. Yesterday, rashes started appearing. At night, the vomiting, cough and fever worsened. In the morning, I had no choice but to bring her to the hospital,” she said in a trembling voice.
“I have five daughters and one son,” she added.
Her daughter Mimu was not the only one affected. Two other children were admitted to beds 40 and 42 on the fourth floor, while another was discharged on May 14.
“All four of my children have measles. As one improves, another falls sick. This has been going on for a week,” she said.
The ordeal began when her nine-year-old daughter Babuni developed a fever, followed by diarrhoea, cold and cough. She was initially treated with medicines bought from a pharmacy.
“I thought she would recover. Then the rashes appeared,” she said.
Babuni was admitted on May 11 and diagnosed with measles. After four days, she began to improve slightly.
But soon after, her 10-year-old daughter Mursalinara was admitted on May 12 with similar symptoms.
“We also gave her pharmacy medicines for three days. It didn’t work,” the mother said.
Babuni was discharged on May 14 — the same day symptoms appeared in their 14-year-old son, Moslim, who was admitted in her place.
Moslim had mouth ulcers, yellowish eyes and rashes all over his body.
“I cannot eat anything. Even taking medicine is difficult,” he said weakly. “I just want to lie down.”
Mursalinara, who was due to be discharged, remained weak and unable to eat without vomiting. Her mouth was dry and her skin peeling.
That morning, Mimu was brought in with fever, cough and continuous vomiting. Her eyes were swollen and reddish-yellow. Doctors prescribed medicines, but she repeatedly vomited after taking them.
“She just wants to sleep. If we give her food, she vomits,” her mother said.
One anti-vomiting dose was mixed with water and given to her, but she could not tolerate the remaining medicines and lay motionless on the hospital bed.
The crisis deepened at home. Nuruun Nahar said her 18-month-old grandson was also suffering from fever and swollen eyes, while another daughter had developed fever and diarrhoea.
“For a week, my children have been falling sick one after another,” she said. “I cannot describe the pain.”
“There was no sleep and no proper food. I was running between the hospital and home, always fearing the next one would fall sick.”
The family was also facing severe financial hardship.
Nuruun Nahar worked as a domestic worker, while her husband, Mostafa, drove a rickshaw and sold pickles when possible. Neither had been able to work for the previous week.
Originally from Raipura in Narsingdi, the family moved to Dhaka during the Covid-19 pandemic and now lived in a rented room in Nakhalpara.
They had already spent around Tk20,000 on treatment — all borrowed money.
“Twenty thousand taka may seem small, but for us it is a mountain of debt,” she said.
She had also borrowed money from her employer.
“The children ask for whatever they see. I cannot refuse them,” she said.
Because of mouth ulcers, the children could only consume fruits or juice.
“Last night, Mimu wanted grapes. I borrowed money and bought them. Later, Babuni wanted puri, so I bought that too,” she said.
Outside the hospital, Mimu once asked for mangoes after seeing fruit on display.
“Mother, will you buy mangoes?” she recalled her daughter asking.
“I told her I would,” she said. “But the money went on medicines.”
Still, she continued to borrow money.
“I will call my employer again. Whatever the debt, my children must recover first,” she said.
“If I could provide them with proper food, they would recover faster. But I cannot afford it,” she added.
Mostafa said he had bought pickles worth Tk4,000 before the illness struck.
“I couldn’t sell a single piece. They are spoiling,” he said, adding that he had already incurred losses of around Tk2,000.
Ayesha, a patient in the neighbouring bed, said she had witnessed the family’s struggle firsthand.
“They survive on very little. The hospital food is not enough,” she said.
“The mother is caring for the children while becoming ill herself.”
As she spoke, Nuruun Nahar stroked her daughter’s head and said through tears: “I just want my children to recover. I will take more loans if needed. Debts can be repaid later.”
