Measles crisis deepens as Bandarban ambulances sit broken
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A Khumi child infected with measles died on 27 July after a delay in being transported to Chittagong Medical College Hospital due to the lack of an ambulance.
Following the incident, it was revealed that every government ambulance in Bandarban district is broken and lying idle.
Bandarban Civil Surgeon Shaheen Hossain Chowdhury said the measles situation in the district is beginning to come under control.
He added, “In the last three days, no more children have died with symptoms of measles. Initiatives have been taken to repair the broken ambulances on an emergency basis. A private ambulance has been kept ready at all times.”
Deputy Commissioner Saniul Ferdous sent a letter to the Bandarban Hill District Council on Thursday regarding the delay in transporting the child to Chattogram. Following the letter, the District Council organized an emergency meeting at the civil surgeon’s office.
During the meeting, arrangements were made to repair the disabled ambulances as quickly as possible and to ensure a private ambulance remains on standby.
Hill District Council Chairman Thanzama Lushai questioned why the vehicles remained in disrepair, saying: “There is an allocation of Tk 1 lakh from government annually for the repair of each ambulance.”
The council is investigating why the ambulances remained broken despite the allocation. Upon learning of staff shortages, the district council provided 40 temporary employees to the health department, with the council contributing Tk 72 lakh annually.
Regarding the spread of the disease, Shaheen said, “We believe the reasons for the spread of measles are the suspension of measles vaccination programs over the past few years, the slackness of work due to challenges in health workers’ movement in remote areas, and the superstitions and habit of not taking vaccines among the Mro, Khumi, and other hill communities living in marginal areas.”
Local resident Naylo Khumi alleged that while the district health department claims to be running special camps to prevent measles, it is failing to provide necessary medical facilities and ambulances for patient transfers.
While the situation has improved in Alikadam, Lama, Thanchi, and Naikhongchhari upazilas, more than 200 children have been infected in Ruma Upazila in the last 25 days.
Ruma Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer (UH&FPO) Abdullah Al Hasan said, “110 children infected with measles have come to us.”
According to various sources, three children have died with measles symptoms. Bandarban District Health Department data showed that 1,419 children in the district have been infected since 26 March.
A total of five deaths have been recorded - two in Alikadam and three in Ruma. Civil Surgeon added that as of 29 July, 40 children were admitted to Bandarban Sadar Hospital, and vaccination drives have been initiated in measles-prone areas.
