Measles, dengue ravaged thousands of families, accommodation crisis in hospitals

Thousands of families in the capital are being ravaged by a health emergency as measles and dengue coincide. The crisis has spiraled out of control as families see multiple members suffering from the viruses. Children are being admitted to hospitals in critical condition at the time healthcare centers are running out of space. Bed shortages have created a crisis.

This was witnessed during the visits to government hospitals in the city. One of them is the DNCC Dedicated Measles Hospital. In this hospital, Mobarak Hossain, an electric-parts trader from Mirpur was trying to cope with his children's illness. All four of his kids have contracted measles in a week. They are receiving treatment in the hospital.

On the floor, 8 year old Abdur Rahman lies with a cannula in his hand and an oxygen mask on his face. Next to him, 6 year old Ahmed is receiving saline through a line. In the bed, 4 year old Ayesha lies weak, her body covered in rashes. Her father, Mobarak Hossain holds her close. On the bed beside her, 2 year old Anas rests with rashes over his skin.

Mobarak Hossain shared his pain with Asia Post. "All four of my children got measles one after another" he said. "The treatment here is not bad.. Doctors are not always available when we call. A doctor came in the morning. Checked two of them. I went to call again. No one was there. After some time one doctor. Examined one child. One of my children still hasn't been seen by anyone all day. If this was a hospital I could complain. But since it's a government hospital, what can we do?"

In another incident, Rajchandra brought his two children, aged two and five, from Hemayetpur in Savar to Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute. Both are seriously ill. Admitted in separate wards.. No relative is staying with them. Their mother, Shikha Rani is also sick with dengue. Is getting treatment at another hospital in Savar.

During a visit to the isolation ward on Friday afternoon, 4 year old Nirob was seen lying in discomfort. A relative, Aritri Rani, had come from their village to stay with him. She told Asia Post "The two children have been in the hospital with dengue for a week. Their mother also caught dengue. Her condition is very serious. She is being treated in Hemayetpur. There is no one to stay with the children. I am their sister. We all came from the village to be with them."

In a story, Nil Kumar from Keraniganj became a father for the first time after 11 years. His eight month old son has been in the ICU for three days due to dengue. While this happened, Nil Kumar's mother passed away. He could not leave the hospital to attend her funeral.

Relatives at the hospital said Nil Kumar's mother was deeply distressed after seeing her grandchild's condition. They believe she died from the stress and sorrow caused by worrying about her son and grandson.

On the ground floor of Agargaon Shishu Hospital and Institute, Nil Kumar sat beside his baby, Nitya holding him tightly. He explained his pain to Asia Post. "I became a father after 11 years" he said. "When my child had a fever for two days I took him to a doctor in Fatullah, Narayanganj. He tested positive for dengue. Then his condition worsened,. I brought him to the ICU here. My mother died Sunday after crying and worrying about her grandson. I got the news that evening.. I couldn't leave my child in this state to go see my mother one last time."

Dengue spreads while measles remains uncontrolled

According to data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 963 children have died from measles and measles-like symptoms between March 15 and August 29 this year. The measles outbreak has already taken a toll. Now dengue cases are rising fast.

On Saturday, August 29, the DGHS reported that 996 people were admitted to hospitals across the country with dengue in the 24 hours. Two deaths occurred during that time. Far this year, dengue cases have reached 33,586. Ninety people have died. The highest number of deaths--31--were recorded in the Dhaka South City Corporation area.

Experts warn the situation is worsening. Public health expert Professor Dr. Benazir Ahmed said the government has failed to control the measles outbreak. "The outbreak started during the government " she said. ". This government has also failed to stop it. It could have been prevented with vaccination.. Coverage was not high enough. Now we are worried this might turn into a long-term problem."

She added, "There are than 200,000 patients and over 900 deaths. The government has started a vaccination drive. That is a step.. If it is not planned well it might fail again. It is hard to believe that a preventable disease like measles could spread this much and become epidemic-sized."

She also spoke about dengue. "It's now dengue season. Things were calm until May.. Cases began rising in June. Rainfall has dropped. We must stop breeding right now. Otherwise dengue could grow even worse."

Professor Dr. Md Halimur Rashid, director of the Disease Control Branch at DGHS said the government is acting. "It's true that measles is not yet under control " he said. "We are launching a vaccination campaign. People who missed vaccinations are being found. Plans are, in place to vaccinate them. All steps are being taken to treat dengue patients properly."