Highlights
- 53 children have died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMC) in the last 2.5 months due to lack of ICU beds.
- Most affected are children suffering from pneumonia and measles.
- Paediatric wards are overcrowded, with multiple children per bed and shortages of oxygen.
- Health officials warn of rising measles cases due to incomplete vaccination.
- Lack of dedicated paediatric ICUs in regional hospitals is a serious issue.
At Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMC), 53 children have died in the last two and a half months because there were no ICU beds available for them. Parents, like Nuha Alam from Muraripur, Paba Upazila, wait in line with their sick children, hoping for a free ICU bed. Nuha’s 8.5-month-old child, suffering from pneumonia, had severe breathing difficulties. A patient’s father said,
“We have our ICU serial number 27. We spend the whole day waiting in front of the ICU, hoping a bed will be available. But we do not know if we will get one. ICU beds are rarely free because patients often need long-term care.”
— Nuha Alam
ICU Shortage and Hospital Conditions
Dr. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, in charge of the paediatric ICU at RMC, said:
“In the 12-bed paediatric ICU, beds rarely become free unless a child dies. In the last 2.5 months, 53 children died waiting for ICU. Between 11 and 18 March alone, 28 children died while waiting, and another 9 died after ICU admission.”
Currently, children with pneumonia and measles are the most affected. Doctors say incomplete vaccination contributes to the increase in measles cases, making children more vulnerable.
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Overcrowding in Paediatric Wards
Visiting the paediatric ward, one sees multiple children per bed, some receiving treatment on the floor, and waiting for oxygen. Parents are anxious, and nurses are overwhelmed. Parents blame the lack of timely ICU care for their children’s deaths. For example:
- Tarikul Islam from Shibganj said his 6-month-old child, Riduan, died of measles on 18 March after waiting for ICU admission.
- Shahin Hossain from Durgapur said his 10-month-old son, Jihad, could not get an ICU bed despite doctors’ advice, and died on 18 March.
Measles Cases Rising Due to Incomplete Vaccination
Dr. Habibur Rahman, Rajshahi Divisional Health Director, confirmed:
“Our routine vaccination program is ongoing. But measles cases have increased. Nationwide vaccination campaigns will be organized soon. The Health Department will take initiative.”
Lack of Dedicated Pediatric ICU in Regional Hospitals
During the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure for ICUs was built in regional medical colleges, including Rajshahi, but equipment was never installed. Currently, no government-approved pediatric ICU exists in Rajshahi or other divisional hospitals. A 200-bed children’s hospital in Rajshahi, built at a cost of nearly Tk 35 crore, has been awaiting operation for over three years. This seriously affects access to advanced care for children in Rajshahi and Khulna divisions. Doctors say timely ICU care is crucial for children with pneumonia, measles, and other critical illnesses.
Source: Dainik Amader Somoy
