A surge in measles infections has put severe pressure on child healthcare services in Sylhet, with hospitals struggling to accommodate a growing number of patients.
Shaheed Dr Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital, a 100-bed government facility designated for measles treatment, is currently treating 93 children. The situation has led to overcrowding, with two patients sharing a single bed in some cases. New admissions are being recorded daily, many in critical condition.
In an emergency response, five Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) beds were added at Shamsuddin Hospital on Monday. Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital has also expanded its PICU capacity to 10 beds, bringing the total number of PICU beds across the two hospitals to 15.
However, no private hospitals in Sylhet have yet opened dedicated measles wards, raising concerns about limited treatment options—especially for low-income families.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Mizanur Rahman said patient numbers are rising rapidly, pushing the hospital beyond its capacity. Medical teams from Shamsuddin and Osmani hospitals are working jointly to manage the situation. He urged private healthcare providers to step forward and support measles treatment efforts.
“Measles spreads very easily and requires strict preventive measures,” he said, highlighting the need for hygiene practices, including mask use.
Brigadier General Dr Munir Omar Rashed, director of Osmani Hospital, said additional ICU facilities were opened to cope with increasing demand. He noted that critically ill patients are often referred to Shamsuddin and Osmani hospitals after initial treatment elsewhere, which contributes to a higher number of deaths at these centers.
Over the past 19 days, 12 children have died in Sylhet with measles or measles-like symptoms. The latest fatality was a 17-month-old child who died at Osmani Hospital on Monday morning. Two more children died at the same hospital the previous day. Most of the victims were under the age of two.
According to the Sylhet Divisional Health Department, 172 patients with measles symptoms are currently undergoing treatment across the division. Of them, 93 are at Shamsuddin Hospital and nine at Osmani Hospital, with the rest admitted to other facilities.
In the last 24 hours , one new case has been laboratory-confirmed, while 38 suspected cases have been admitted. From January 1 to April 27 this year, 80 confirmed measles cases have been recorded in Sylhet division. Among the deaths, only two were laboratory-confirmed, while the others remain suspected.
Divisional Assistant Health Director (Disease Control) Noor Alam Shamim said vaccination is key to controlling the outbreak. He expressed hope that the situation may stabilize within two to three weeks as immunity builds.
Authorities have instructed private clinics to open dedicated isolation wards for measles patients, similar to the approach taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health officials have urged the public to follow preventive measures and ensure timely vaccination of children.
