Writ Filed Seeking Tk2 Crore in Compensation for Each Families of 352 Children Who Died of Measles
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking compensation of Tk 20 million for each family of 352 children who died after being infected with measles.
On Sunday, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Humayun Kabir Pallab filed the public interest litigation. He confirmed the matter to the media, adding that a hearing on the writ may be held within the current week.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Health and relevant officials have been made respondents in the petition. Reports published in various media outlets have also been attached as supporting documents.
According to published reports, 352 children have died in the past 55 days due to measles and measles-related complications. Government data suggests that, on average, at least six children have been dying every day. However, in the past week, that number has increased to an average of 10 deaths per day.
Despite assurances that child mortality from measles would decline, the death rate has increased by one and a half times. Among the most affected areas is the Dhaka Division, while the lowest risk has been recorded in the Rangpur Division. Most recently, nine more children died yesterday from measles or related complications. These figures were obtained by analyzing the regular bulletins of the Directorate General of Health Services.
