Families of children infected with measles are enduring severe hardship as they move from hospital to hospital in search of an available bed, with many being turned away even after reaching hospitals in the capital.
Guardians from different districts across the country are rushing to Dhaka to seek treatment for measles-affected children. However, even after arriving in the capital, many are unable to secure hospital beds. Several families have returned home without treatment after visiting multiple hospitals, while others are spending days and nights in hospital corridors.
This situation was observed during a visit to the Bangladesh Children's Hospital and Institute in Shyamoli on Friday, where relatives of infected children shared their experiences.
Shirina Khatun has been staying in a hospital corridor for the past 28 days with her seven-month-old grandson, Junaid, along with her son and daughter-in-law. The family came from Sirajganj.
"We have been here for 28 days. We came even before Eid. My grandson developed measles, fever and several other complications. We first took him to the upazila health complex, where doctors referred us elsewhere. Later, at around 1am, we hired an ambulance and took him to Pabna Sadar Hospital. We stayed there for a day, and the doctors there also referred us," she said.
"Then we were sent to Shyamoli Children's Hospital. The child's condition was critical. He has been under treatment since then and has improved somewhat. If we had been discharged before Eid, we could have gone home. But the senior doctor was away, and we were not discharged. After Eid, he suddenly became ill again one night while trying to stand up. Doctors conducted tests and later transferred him to the ICU. He has been there for the past five to six days," she added.
When asked where the family was staying, Shirina said they had been living in the hospital corridor.
Habibur Rahman, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in Singapore, returned home after hearing about his child's illness but has been unable to return to work.
He said he had to cancel his scheduled flight on May 16 because of his child's condition. Although his visa remains valid until July 7, he must report to work at least 10 days in advance. He hopes to arrange a new ticket once the child recovers.
Rahman said he admitted his child to the hospital on the night of May 21. The child was transferred to the ICU the following afternoon and later moved back to a general ward on June 2. The child is now in better condition.
According to him, doctors are closely monitoring the child. Oxygen levels remain stable, and only minimal oxygen support is being provided. Doctors periodically remove the oxygen supply for one to one-and-a-half hours to observe the child's condition. If oxygen levels remain stable, oxygen support may no longer be necessary.
He added that no decision has yet been made regarding discharge. However, doctors have indicated that if the child's condition remains stable and no new complications arise, discharge may be possible by Saturday.
Mo Rayhan was seen sitting in the hospital corridor with one of his younger brothers, while another younger sibling suffering from measles remained admitted.
"We are three brothers. My younger brother has been admitted for seven days. He is eight months old. At first, there was no bed available, but we managed to get one after a patient was discharged," he said.
"Our parents stay beside him. Initially, he did not show symptoms of measles. He had jaundice and fever, but later developed measles. We are not allowed inside because small children are restricted," he added.
Mo Arif from Bhola said he brought his 10-month-old child to Dhaka after six days of treatment at Bhola Sadar Hospital failed to improve the child's condition. The child had been admitted with pneumonia, fever, a cold and measles.
"We arrived in Dhaka early in the morning. Doctors in the emergency department said there were no beds available and advised us to go elsewhere. But we came from far away—where could we go? I asked if we could stay in the corridor for emergency treatment, but they said it was not allowed," he said.
Arif added that they were referred to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital and Mohakhali Hospital, but continued moving from one facility to another without finding a bed.
Mo Noman from Pirojpur said he finally secured a bed at the Children's Hospital after visiting Dhaka Medical College Hospital and several other facilities without success.
"We brought my child to Dhaka for better treatment after he developed fever, typhoid and measles. We first went to two private hospitals in Jatrabari and Matuail but could not get a bed. Later, we went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where no beds were available either. They referred us here, and we got a bed after one became vacant," he said.
"The child is very sick and cannot eat. The measles rash has worsened, and he also has typhoid. Recovery will take time. I do not know how long we will have to stay," he added.
Initially, Bangladesh Children's Hospital and Institute had two wards dedicated to measles patients. It later expanded capacity by opening a third ward. The hospital now operates four wards, including ICU facilities, for measles patients. However, despite the expansion, many patients are still being turned away due to a shortage of beds.
A nurse in charge of a measles ward said: "The patient flow is extremely high. This ward has 26 beds, and all of them remain occupied. Beds rarely stay vacant. As soon as one patient leaves, another arrives."
