by Asif Showkat Kallol (Dhaka Bureau)
The devastating measles outbreak spreading across the country is highlighting the fragility of Bangladesh’s healthcare system and the failure of its vaccination programs. Since last March, at least 352 children have died, and the number of infected cases has approached nearly 50,000. International public health experts are describing the situation as a “planned disaster.”
On Saturday morning, the corridors of Dhaka’s Infectious Diseases Hospital echoed with the cries of Shiuli Akter. Her 10-month-old daughter, Mahjabin, passed away in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to measles-related complications. Mahjabin’s death is not just a statistic; it is a tragic reflection of Bangladesh’s current health crisis. In the last 24 hours, nine children have died in the capital alone, as hospitals face an acute shortage of ICU beds.
Meanwhile, a writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking 20 million BDT (2 Crore) in compensation for each of the families of the 352 children who died from measles or related symptoms.
On Sunday (May 10), Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Humayun Kabir Pallab filed the petition in the public interest. The Health Secretary and other relevant authorities have been named as respondents.
Reports published in newspapers reveal that 352 children have died from measles and its symptoms over the last 55 days. According to government data, an average of six children is dying daily.
However, in the last week, that number has surged to an average of ten deaths per day. Despite assurances that the mortality rate would decline, the death toll has increased 1.5 times. Dhaka Division is currently the most vulnerable, while Rangpur is the least affected. Official statistics show that there are currently 47,656 symptomatic children in Bangladesh, with 33,631 hospitalized.
International donor agencies and partner organizations (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank) state that there is no shortage of vaccines in Bangladesh; rather, there is a severe lack of management. Professor Abdus Sabur, a former advisor to the World Bank, provided explosive information revealing that specialized freezing vans acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic are lying idle in Mohakhali due to a fuel crisis. Consequently, life-saving vaccines cannot be transported from the central cold storage to remote areas.
Public health experts have identified three primary reasons behind this disaster:
Immunity Gap: Since no major national campaign has been conducted since 2020, nearly 85% of infected children are under the age of five, many of whom have received no vaccinations at all.
False Claims: The World Health Organization (WHO) states that Bangladesh’s previous claims of eradicating measles were inaccurate. The virus has always remained active internally.
Neglect of Urban Slums: Despite claims of a 98% success rate in emergency campaigns, nearly 40% of children in slums and floating populations remain outside the vaccination network.
In response to the situation, Health Services Secretary Kamruজ্জামান Chowdhury has announced the formation of a high-level investigation committee. Under pressure from international organizations, the government is now preparing for an “After Action Review.”
However, researchers warn that emergency campaigns alone are not the solution. Unless at least 95% of children are brought under regular routine immunization, Bangladesh’s “measles crisis” could evolve into a long-term public health catastrophe.
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The Author:
Asif Showkat Kallol: Works for a German-based online outlet, The Mirror Asia, as Head of News and is a Contributor, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
