Two children die with measles symptoms at RMCH

Two children have died with measles symptoms within 24 hours at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). Hospital authorities confirmed the information on Tuesday, March 31.

According to hospital sources, there are currently 98 patients admitted with suspected measles. Sixteen new measles cases were admitted in the last 24 hours. Three suspected measles deaths have been recorded during this period.

A severe shortage of vaccines for life-threatening diseases, including measles, has emerged in the country. The government has paid Tk 604 crore to UNICEF to address this shortage. Health Services Division Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury said vaccines will arrive soon, and a nationwide vaccination programme will begin immediately after.

The secretary said special initiatives are being taken to identify areas with high measles prevalence (hotspots) and increase immunity in children. Three high-level experts are investigating whether any new measles variant is affecting children.

During his visit to RMCH on Tuesday, Secretary Chowdhury acknowledged limitations in healthcare infrastructure. The hospital has only a limited number of ICU beds for children, and a serial system is in place for admissions. With the measles outbreak, demand for ICU care has further increased.

The secretary announced that a newly constructed 200-bed specialised hospital in Rajshahi will be operationalised soon. Steps will also be taken to address the existing manpower shortage at RMCH.

Earlier in the day, the secretary and Directorate General of Health Services Acting Director General Professor Dr Prabhat Chandra Biswas handed over ventilators to RMCH, which will help manage the situation.

Health officials said the last nationwide measles vaccination campaign was conducted in 2020, with a planned campaign for 2024 not implemented. The Expanded Programme on Immunisation was disrupted following the suspension of health sector operational plans in 2024.