A Chittagong couple have lost both their sons to measles and dengue within two days, with their 10-month-old younger child dying late Sunday night, following the death of his 10-year-old brother on Friday.
The two children, Nur Mohammad Arafat and Mohammad Abu Bakkar, had been undergoing treatment at Chittagong Maa-O-Shishu Hospital.
Overcome with grief after losing his younger son, Mohammad Kabir said in a tearful voice: “I couldn't save my boy.”
Abu Bakkar died at 1:10am on Monday while undergoing treatment at the hospital. His elder brother, Arafat, died at the same hospital on Friday morning.
Professor Didarul Alam, head of the hospital's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), confirmed Abu Bakkar's death, saying the child had succumbed to measles and dengue.
After losing his elder son, Kabir had pinned his remaining hopes on Abu Bakkar. But that hope was also shattered. The younger child was placed on life support on Saturday after his condition deteriorated. On Sunday, doctors informed the family that his condition was critical. Despite the warning, Kabir continued to hope that his son would survive.
Arafat was a Class III student at Hillview Public School in the Panchlaish area of Chittagong city. Around 15-20 days ago, he developed a fever, vomiting and a cough. He was initially treated at Southern Hospital and later at Imperial Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was admitted to an intensive care unit before being transferred to Chittagong Maa-O-Shishu Hospital.
According to his father, Arafat was suffering from measles, dengue and pneumonia, with complications affecting his lungs and liver. He last spoke to his father on Thursday night. When his condition deteriorated on Friday morning, doctors asked Kabir to come to the hospital. However, Arafat died before his father could reach him. He was buried that evening at a graveyard in the city's Momenbagh area.
After burying his elder son, Kabir stayed at the hospital as Abu Bakkar continued to receive treatment. The younger child was placed on life support on Saturday as his condition worsened, but doctors could not save him.
Kabir lived with his wife, Amena Begum, and their two sons in a rented house in the Hillview area of Chittagong city. The 31-year-old works in cargo handling for a private company, earning around Tk20,000 a month, of which Tk6,000 goes towards rent. Despite his modest income, he had many dreams for his two children.
Whenever he returned home from work, his sons would rush to greet him. Now, he dreads returning to the house filled with memories of them.
“When I came home from work, my two boys would run into my arms. I had so many dreams, so many plans. Every corner of our small home holds memories of them. How can I go back there? How can I live there?” he said.
Kabir spent all his savings trying to save his children. He sought help from colleagues, neighbours and relatives and even took on debt to cover their medical expenses. Despite his efforts, he lost both sons.
Amena is also devastated. Kabir said her physical and mental health had deteriorated following Arafat's death. Overcome with grief, she repeatedly lost consciousness and could not eat properly. As a result, she had to remain at home while Abu Bakkar was receiving treatment.
With both children gone, Kabir and Amena's home is now without the laughter and presence of their two boys. The rooms that once echoed with their play and footsteps are filled only with memories. After days of struggling to save their sons, the grieving parents are left to mourn the loss of both children.
